Act 3, Scene 2

Transformation

Benedick's appearence

As Benedick enters stage during this scene, he has shaved his beard. The lack of beard links back to Beatrice's wan for a man between youth and maturity,"he that hath a beard is more than a youth and he that hath no beards is less than a man." A young adult, shaven, was the centre of many Elizabethan desires. Benedick's change in appearence was also noticed by Claudio, "No, but the barber's man hath been seen with him, and the old ornament of his cheek hath already stuffed tennis-balls.", the old ornament of his face being his beard. Benedick's marked change in regards to his appearence is evidently down to his re-found love for Beatrice. Furthermore, the other men have noticed a change in his disposition as well, "Me thinks you are sadder" "I hope he be in love." Benedick places the blame for his new image and personality on "the toothache." The toothace is a recurring theme throughout both MAAN and Shakespeare's other works. Having toothache could show Benedick's oppression regarding his love for Beatrice; by hiding his love, it manifests itself in different ways. Toothache may have also been seen as symptom of love, heartache etc in the time period of which MAAN was written. Either way, Benedick saying he has toothache is a sign of his submission to love. Benedick's clothing, changing from that common of someone of his position, to dressing like "a German from the waist downwards, all slops, and a spaniard from the hip upward, no doublet" is another sign for his love. In the Anatomy of Melancholy (Robert Burton, 1616) Burton comments that Southern men are more hot [..] and they can hardly contain themselves in those hotter climates." Benedick's attire, reflecting that of a foreigner, could show his desire for Beatrice, in both the physical, and the emotional."

How does Don John's choice of language make the impact of his revelation about Hero all the more devestating to Claudio?

Don John's chouce of language in revealing Hero's "disloyalty" is particularly powerful as he presents Hero as being promiscuous with not only Boracchio, but other men. "Everyman's Hero." By presenting Hero in this way, Don John implies that Claudio is nothing special to Hero; he is simply another man on her list. Don John being the person to create such an impact on Claudio holds increased importance, as Don John struggles to communicate with fluidity unlike the other characters in the play. "I am not of many words." Furthermore, Don John constructs the revelation to secure their trust in him. He enters the scene, seemingly apologetic, "My Lord and brother, God save you!", "You may think I love you not." allowing him to remain convincing in his deception of Claudio.