Should i Stay or Should i Go Now??

The "wedding" scene is an awkward situation for everyone in attendance. This is especially true for those who are directly involved and connected to those who were supposed to be wed. Benedick may have had the hardest decision/reaction to make because of his placement with all involved. On one hand his "brothers" leave the wedding shunning Hero and her entire family, but what about Beatrice? What would come of him acting in unison with his "brothers"? If Benedick were to have an aside during the shunning of Hero, it would go something like this...

Is it true? Could Hero be capable of committing such an act while betrothed? Nay. I thinkest she be fair and true. Look at her. She is shocked to her core. The love in her eyes while looking at Claudio would never permit such an act. Tis the same eye I give to mine Beatrice. Don Pedro be princely in manner but to think this? I have followed his lead for so long. Could it be the bastard? Don Pedro would never suspect him. It is his manner to stir the pot with trouble and spread this slanderous truth. Their tongues cut deep in the family's name. They must be sure of it. What to do? How to act? Nay, Hero's colour is still there. What of my Beatrice? Oh, how her heart must burn with hatred for the prince and his follower's. Yet, if they speak the truth, could Beatrice have committed the same sin? Fie on it! I shan't be blinded by these fool's. My heart knows whats true. I mustn't fall for this trickery. Beatrice will need me. Leonato will need me. I must keep my wits about me. Let my brethren curse me as well. If I were to leave, Beatrice will look upon me with the same eyes she looks upon the others. I must take my stand. My love must be proved true now. I will do what the situation calls for and help my beloved. She will know today what I feel through my actions. There will be a time when the truth will come to light. Til then...


Here's a cute video I found of Beatrice and Benedick on YouTube. Give it like 30 seconds and then turn up the volume!!

B & B: Perfect Couple or A Couple of Enemies?

Question 3: First of all, I'd like to think that it is nearly impossible for anyone to be completely immune to love. There is a difference when one is guarded or protective over who they love and may even deny they are/can love someone. Love is a special gift that deep down everyone craves and hopes to have a one point or another in their life. It can also be scary and off-putting to some. This is true especially when a person in love has a very independent attitude. Benedick here is no different. He swears off love from the moment we meet him and almost believe him when he says he'll die a bachelor. However, Beatrice brings out another side to him. They partake in this banter which is overflowing with sexual tension and the love/hate vibe. Benedick is extremely affected by the "skirmish of wit" that he and Beatrice shared. He swear revenges and curses her to high heaven but, one should look a little deeper at his emotions and reaction. If he truly despised her and thought she was a nuisance, he wouldn't have cared that much about what she had to say. He probably wouldn't have even went to talk to her at the ball. There is a lot of hurt, sadness, and disappointment behind his spoken words.

Diary Entry #1
The war is nearing and I must admit that I am completely prepared to go. Is it not a man's duty to go off and fight for his beliefs, freedom, and country? I will be amongst friends with whom I entrust my life completely. I may pay with blood but it will be rich with honour. It fairs me well that the war comes now. Alas, Lady Tongue and I did not share the bond in which I had hoped for. For after all she is Lady Disdain. What had I expected? A love fair and true? HA. I should think not. She is competent enough to undo God's first seven days with her quick tongue. I swear on it, I have a heart that beats for love like any man. Why must she break my every limb with her independence? Can she not be fair in any way? Maybe there will be a change of wind in her heart and mouth. Until then, never again. I shall be a war hero and never again play the fool in loves name. I shall stay a bachelor and enjoy my days in the favour of all women. As long as my name be Benedick, I will enjoy the pubs and the freedom that is bachelorhood.

Diary Entry#2
Ay, how treacherous that time hasn't turned that wicked woman! To think for a moment that happiness be in her heart to see me arrive whole! Methinks that tongue sprouted more roots in evil-be that possible? Nay, tis the same as before. How many fortnights have passed and still, still she rips me at the seams. If I were a bachelor before, I be a bachelor a thousand times over now. Never will thou see me a million yards nearest a church. Moments have passed since my arrival home and still that woman, if that's what thou calls her, be not blithe to see me. There is nothing plesant, fair, or blissful in her nature. I will keep on my war's armour. I shall'nt write a sonnet or listen to the fife. Tis I and I alone. Claudio and Hero. What fool's they be to be wed on a whim. Good Claudio, methinkest he were smarter than that. He all but melts in her hand! Why, what men do to woo a woman and make a bed with them. Never I. On my word, never I!!!

Shakespeare iN Love

Imagine living back in the world when women were only viewed as child bearers, housewives, and a man's plaything. Imagine that tomorrow all of the doctors, hospitals, and practical medications just disappeared. What would you do if there were laws that forbade you from moving up in class ranking or interacting with those in a higher class than you? What if love and marriage had nothing to do with each other? It should not come as a surprise that these are just some of the things that those living in Shakespearean times- including Shakespeare- had to deal with. This was the way of life that they knew, and they probably couldn't even fathom living in today's society. In the film Shakespeare In Love, the viewers get a glimpse of the society that Shakespeare had to cope with. Shakespeare was an actor, playwright, and ladies man. This also meant that he was a commoner and had no real power in his world. The only power he had was through his words and through the production of his plays. He did, however, manage to become somewhat of a local celebrity. This is due to the fact that going to the theater was open to all classes and ranks of people. It was also one of the only non-violent forms of entertainment that existed during this time. Aside from the morbid forms of public entertainment (public hangings general public embarrassment etc...) the plague was also killing hundreds by the day. Shakespeare was mostly broke, and only made money through selling his plays to the owners of the playhouses. He did use this to his advantage. He would promise his plays to different playhouses, and when it came time for the play to be produced, he would choose which playhouse benefited him most. He lived in a dirtier part of town which was very close to the playhouses. He also had a room atop the playhouse where he could write and sleep if need be. He did not get to partake in many of the luxuries of life aside from having a few drinks with his friends at a local pub. His closest friends were also his work associates- actors, other playwrights, costume designers, and a prostitute or two. He benefited from the ideas of the other playwrights and used some of their ideas as his own. Shakespeare also managed to manipulate roles in order to benefit his actor friends who would play his characters. One thing that was clear in Shakespeare In Love and it was that Shakespeare loved to love women. He was constantly looking for a muse, a great and life changing romance where he could draw inspiration from. Without a woman in his life Shakespeare was unable to write. He constantly needed to find a replacement for the women in which his feelings had begun to fade. Both would quickly become obsessed with each other and have a tumultuous, lust-filled relationship. Most ended as quickly as they had started and in a very heartbreaking situation. Part of the reasons he had so many torrid love affairs was partly because he was married and partly because he paid no mind to the class of women he became involved with. He was looking for raw passion. A true love that would stand the test of time and know no boundaries of class ranking, money, or trusts. He was trying to do this and live a life on love alone during a time where men were only concerned with women being tame, timid, loyal, trusting, quiet, and fertile. Shakespeare was not that kind of man. The success of his plays is due to the life he lead. He had a sense of humor about society and all the heartbreak it brought into his life. Those who seen his plays saw problems coming from their society. They saw their lives on stage- only better. Shakespeare mixed reality with these amazing stories of love, loss, revenge, and humor. Each story reflected his personal life in some way and it is the reason why his plays are still loved, laughed at, and cried over, hundreds of years later.