Benedick's false love in Much Ado About Nothing Much Ado About Nothing is one of William Shakespeare's best comedies and love stories. What's not to love about a hilarious, romantic play with a happy ending? In this play the main and most intriguing character is Benedick, a man who is a devout bachelor and who does not believe he will ever find the perfect woman; --because perfect is exactly what it should have. This may seem like a harsh and pessimistic view of life, but the way Shakespeare brings this character to life portrays Benedick as a funny and thoughtful man who isn't actually that sure about what he wants for the future. Benedick's counterpart in the play is Beatrice, an independent woman with a quick tongue. Benedick and Beatrice despise and can't stand each other because it is seemingly impossible for them to have a conversation without arguing and getting angry at each other. The two provide some of the funniest scenes in the play with their puns and teasing of each other. In reality, however, they have a lot in common that they have yet to realize. They both despise marriage, are witty and each has their own personality. However, these are not the reasons why they join together. They are brought together by their respective companions who conspire to tell each of them that each loves the other while the two misguided lovers listen. In his speech immediately afterwards, Benedick is influenced by a life he previously would have avoided altogether. costs. Hearing of Beatrice's supposed affection, he immediately changes his entire vision of perpetual celibacy and declares a love that is not real or his, but comes from a deception. Blessed “snow...... middle of paper ..... Man loves the flesh in his youth which he cannot bear in his age. Can jokes, phrases and these brain paper bullets intimidate a man for his humor career? NO! The world must be populated. When I said I would die a bachelor, I didn't think I would live until I got married. Here comes Beatrice. To this day, she is a good lady. I spy some signs of love in her. Works Cited Shakespeare, William; Much Ado About Nothing; Washington Square Press; New York, New York; New Folger edition May 1995