Much Ado About Nothing Program Prologue

“I do love nothing in the world so well as you—is that not strange?”
-Benedick, act 4, scene 1

Over 400 years ago, Shakespeare penned what would become the prototype for romantic comedies for decades to come. From Lizzie Bennet and Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice to Monica Wright and Quincy McCall in Love & Basketball, the enemies-turned-lovers template presented so beautifully in Much Ado About Nothing is a timeless trope of some of today’s best romcoms.

Furthermore, we see in Much Ado a proto-feminist turn from Benedick. As Hero is publicly shamed by Claudio and the rest of the men, Benedick turns his back on his boy’s club mates and listens to Beatrice. He believes what Beatrice and Hero state—that Hero has been true to Claudio and there has been a terrible misunderstanding. He doesn’t stop there, Benedick even challenges Claudio in Hero’s defense. He proves himself worthy of Beatrice’s love in those moments when he rejects the toxic actions of his very best friends and stands, instead, with the two women before him. May we all learn a little from Benedick’s turn today.