Beatrice 2

English Lit: AQA GCSE Much Ado About Nothing, topic 9.1.2

Beatrice

Beatrice’s response to Benedick’s attempt to pacify her following Claudio’s public humiliation of Hero could be interpreted several ways.

Beatrice’s response to Benedick’s attempt to pacify her following Claudio’s public humiliation of Hero could be interpreted in several ways.
She may be trying to goad Benedick into challenging Claudio by asserting it is a “man’s office”.
Only a truly noble gentleman would see fit to defend Hero’s honour.
If Benedick refuses, Beatrice may be suggesting he is a coward.

Additionally, despite her feelings towards him, perhaps Shakespeare is suggesting that Beatrice does not believe Benedick would willingly fight Claudio on her and Hero’s behalf.
In light of this interpretation, Benedick’s rejection of his camaraderie with Claudio in favour of proving his love for Beatrice becomes even more significant.
She does not expect him to choose her over his good friend (“it is a man’s office but not yours”) and yet this is exactly what he does.

A third reason for Beatrice’s reluctance to accept Benedick's offer could be that she is afraid he could be killed by Claudio.
She is concerned for Benedick’s well-being and safety, just as she was in her opening line of the lay when she enquired whether “Signor Montanto is returned from the wars or no?”

BEATRICE: Kill Claudio.

The bluntness of Beatrice’s request contrasts the romantic atmosphere established as the couple declare their love for one another.

The use of the imperative continues Beatrice’s atypical (unusual) character presentation.
It would be most uncommon for women to give orders and instructions at this time, let alone make violent requests such as she does here.

Through Beatrice’s language here, Shakespeare again illustrates Benedick’s struggle with conventional, courtly love.
He has acted as society dictates he should, openly offering his love to “bid me do anything for thee” only to receive this blunt request.