The contrast plot in Shakespeare's Much Ado: Benedick's and Beatrice's Battle of Wits

Studienarbeit aus dem Jahr 2007 im Fachbereich Anglistik - Literatur, Note: 1,7, Universität Kassel, Veranstaltung: William Shakespeare`s Much Ado About Nothing, Sprache: Deutsch, Abstract: Much Ado About Nothing is one of Shakespeare's early tragic comedies. Written in 1598/99, the play was published in quartos only one year later. In this paper I will tackle a very much-discussed issue, that critics still cannot unanimously agree on. The contrast plot in Much Ado is elaborated in such detail and is thematically so important to the play's effect on readers and spectators, that the question arises, whether the said-to-be subplot probably functions as the secret main plot in the play. In chapter one, I will start outlining the most important aspects of the context, that the Benedick-Beatrice plot is embedded into. Additionally, I will characterise the two devotees Benedick and Beatrice as a first step to learn more about their behaviour, their thinking and their importance to the plot. The characterisation will only focus on relevant facts, which contribute to the analysis of their witty battles. Chapter 2 deals with the contributions of both Benedick and Beatrice, which they take in their merry war. With the help of text passages, important parts of their witty battles will be analysed. Furthermore, quotations of literary critics committed to the play will be used to examine the motives of both competitors. Finally, the third chapter will be concerned with the central question of this paper. Asking whether Benedick and Beatrice's battle of wits can be taken as the main plot of Much Ado About Nothing, this section studies the standpoints of various critics As Much Ado About Nothing was written as a play to be performed, and is also read as a literary work, I will facilitate speaking about its addressees. Whenever I mention 'readers', both 'readers' at home and 'spectators' in the theatre are thought of. [...]