Lovers in Messina

Hero, though one of the main characters of the play is a silent presence for the entire First and Second Acts, given a voice only when others speak about or for her. She is first introduced not by name, but as “the daughter of Signior Leonato”, described by Claudio as a “modest young lady” and “the sweetest lady I ever laid mine eyes upon”. Hero is described by everyone as beautiful, kind and gentle. Always she was the dutiful daughter. When her father, Leonato, instructs Hero that she must consent to a wedding proposal by Don Pedro

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In truth, Hero and her father realize later, she had not conceded to marrying Don Pedro, but Claudio. Therefore your grace may well say I have lost it. , a man she barely knows, she happily agrees. He can be considered both one of the heroes and villains of the play. ” Bene*censored* and Beatrice quarrel in a skirmish of wits which is merely a facade of their underlying attraction to each other, and an ongoing struggle of recognizing their love. Beatrice and Bene*censored* may very well talk themselves mad but they do share a real love, one that arose from the ashes of a pretended love. But the circumstances that lead to a marriage between Hero and Claudio make it impossible that there is real love between them.

We can imagine the lives of the lovers of Messina as they were before the play began and we can infer how they will be when the last curtain closes; it could be a happy scene. Claudio condemns not the Prince's alleged deception but the feminine wiles he believes to have inspired it. “I had rather hear my dog bark at a crow than a man swear he loves me,” says she to Bene*censored*. She used her newfound love with Bene*censored* to her advantage, demanding that he kill Claudio. Bene*censored* and Claudio along with Don Pedro are very good friends.

The exact opposite of Hero in every way is Beatrice, her rambunctious cousin. After Hero’s abortive when she was declared a “rotten orange” by the misguided Claudio, Beatrice remained true to her cousin, unlike her rash uncle. Beatrice lives in Leonato’s house and shares a room with Hero.

Common topics in this essay:
Beatrice Bene*censored*, Don John, Hero Beatrice, , Hero Claudio, Claudio Beatrice, Don Pedro, Signior Leonato, Claudio Hero, Bene*censored* Claudio, beatrice bene*censored*, don pedro, hero claudio, protagonists exchange personalities, marriage hero, real love, claudio hero, attraction hero, exchange personalities, hero married, protagonists exchange,

Approximate Word count = 1512
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)

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