From Comedy to Commitment: A Beatrice and Benedick Study

     In Much Ado About Nothing, Beatrice and Benedick have a rather witty relationship; at least, that’s what it is primarily known for. Act 4, Scene 1, however, shows a far more serious side to their relationship. After Claudio publicly rejects Hero at their wedding, the playful and joyous atmosphere of the earlier scenes disappears just like that. Both Benedick and Beatrice how to decide whether their relationship is based purely off fun and whimsy and wit, OR if they are willing to support each other through more serious and tough times. If you compare the original text of the play with the Globe Theatre (2011) performance you can see how they translate the comedic tone to a more serious one through the actors perfomances. The Shakespearean language they use establishes the emotional side of the scene, while the Globe Theatre production performance shows the physical proximity, facial expressions, vocal delivery and movement that shows Beatrices and Benedick’s rising commitment to one another

The "After Party"

    Act 4, Scene 1 takes place immediately after the disastrous wedding of Hero and Claudio. Hero is accused of being unfaithful to Claudio by Claudio and Leonato just accepts it. Obviously, Hero is innocent, but no one will hear anything about it. She is devastated. Beatrice is overwhelmed by the events that took place. The atmosphere of the scene is very different from that playfulness of the characters from previous scenes. This is made clear through Beatrices dialogue. When Benedick asks her why she is crying, she goes: “Yea, and I will weep awhile longer.”  (4.1.270)

    Obviously, she is far less playful than she has been acting. Beatrice isn’t trying to banter or win arguments against Benendick. She is trying to comprehend how Hero can possibly recover from being humiliated and ridiculed by everyone. The Globe Theatre performance shows this change clearly. The actors don’t retain the carefree and silly energy they had previously, and all attempts at comedy are muted. The movement and facial expressions are much more serious because of the situation, even before they are able to speak their lines.

The Vulnerability of Beatrice

Then, one of the most iconic moments of the act happens, and Beatrice tells Benedick,

 “O God, that I were a man! I would eat his heart in the marketplace.” (4.1.320)

    Now, Beatrice shows her anger and helplessness at the situation to Benedick here. She wants to defend Hero, but she feels rather powerless because of her place in this world as a woman. I feel this line is especially important when you compare the Globe performance with the original text. On page, they communicate her anger easily. But this anger is taken way further by the actor. The posture is rigid, shes screaming the lines instead of controlling her anger, her face is getting red and blotchy from the angry screaming, and her movement is almost flailing. She, truly is, heartbroken and anguished. She is furious. Beatrice is not simply angry at the situation; no. She is furious she can do nothing about it. I think the Globe actor perfectly encapsulates that injustice that was done.

The Vulnerability of Benedick

Benedick also does a 360 degree transformation. In earlier scenes, his and Beatrices insults and witty word play was to protect themselves from their fear of vulnerability. However, now, Benedick opens his eyes and ears to Beatrices pain. Benedick tells Beatrice, 

“Come, bid me do anything for thee.” (4.1.302)

This line demonstrates how his love has evolved past his fear of vulnerability, and in turn, he has emotionally matured enough to express his care for Beatrice. He doesn’t simply enjoy the challenge of winning her affections, but he would rather risk losing it all because she simply asked him to. The Globe shows this by the actors attention to Beatrice during her emotional outburst. His face is sad and drawn. His voice gentle and earnest. This just solidifies his evolution from a prideful and sarcastic man, to a man in love.

The Adaptation

    In the original play, the powerful language used by Benendick and Beatrice showed just how their relationship changed in that fateful scene. The Globe performers only enhanced that language by putting it into spoken word and action. The movement, facial expressions, and vocal delivery of the lines only made it easier to comprehend just how powerful the lines really were. Act 4 Scene 1 was a definite turning point in the play. Beatrice and Beneick aren’t “frenemies” anymore. They no longer skirt around their blatant attraction and love. The wedding fiasco drives them closer than ever to demonstrating how they feel about one another. How their love transcends fear, and how that love prevails.