later grew in characteristics of decisiveness and being loving. Stating to Leonato, “ Signor Leonato, truth it is, good signor, your niece regards me with an eye of favour”(Shakespeare 98). This one line reveals Benedicks love, as well as, self dignity in his character. Speaking of Leonato’s niece, Beatrice, and his true feelings of her. Although Benedick showed little interest in Beatrice from the beginning, the relationship flourishing resulted in significance to the play.
Transitioning into Claudio’s character, the first thing to be said about him is indecisive.
Throughout MAAN, he is following after a woman, Hero, to marry. He later betrays this woman from a rumor being tossed around, yet somehow circles back into their marriage ending up in a happy place. His words, “ For thee I’ll lock up all the gates of love, and on my eyelids shall conjecture hang”( Shakespeare 68). Then later, “ Choose your revenge yourself; Impose me to what penance your invention can lay upon my sin”(Shakespeare 90). Claudio also shows love, but his love was quickly altered as soon as one rumor was told about the love of his life. He hadn’t been true to his heart as he once had shown by his traits. Concluding the two characters’ traits, there are many differences to be seen clearly, in how they act. The contrast between the two embellish the play’s meaning, along with the title. The title, Much Ado About Nothing, foretells the gossip’s power for creating a whole situation that could’ve avoided. Having Claudio and Benedick’s foil added to the title, but also their tension’s unimportance, along with all the other’s in Messina. These characters have little to do with the message, but more to add onto the message, that although so much could happen, it’s condensed into
nothing.
Therefore, the play by William Shakespeare, is sending a message of exactly what drama says. It is presenting the idea that gossip, while can be harmless, is a long road that ends back from it started, much ado about nothing. Claudio and Benedick, accompanied by all other character opposites, are mere details to complete this message. These two men are fallen as victims to gossip’s ruling, ultimately ending with absolutely nothing.