Step aside Romeo and Juliet. Enter Beatrice and Benedick

As a high schooler whose first Shakespeare's play was Romeo and Juliet, I did not get the hype of this tragic love story. Even when I was jamming to Love Story by Taylor Swift, I still could not get it. Not even now. Romeo and Juliet are not it for me.

Romeo and Juliet

A failed love story

The first criticism of “Romeo and Juliet” I saw was on Tumblr, in which both characters were analysed as simply two horny, rebellious teenagers. As I finally finished reading and watching the play from start to finish, I quite agree with that notion. Romeo and Juliet are two young and dumb teenagers, not that different from modern teenagers around that age. It is not challenging to imagine a twelve-year-old K-pop stan or a die-hard One Directioner rebel against their family for their “true love”. Luckily for the modern teens, it is very unlikely that their families are stuck-up nobles like the Capulet and the Montague.

As it is, I blame the tragedy of "Romeo and Juliet" on the two noble families, how they let their bad blood rule their lives and ruin their children's future. The deaths of the two young lovers could have been easily prevented if the adults had possessed an ounce of sensibility. Considering how quickly Romeo moved on from Rosaline to Juliet, it is just a matter of time before the boy grows tired of the Capulet girl. If only the adults could have waited. Patience must have been a rare virtue in Verona. Thus, the whole idea of this epic, tragic love story has never sat well with me. In my opinion, "Romeo and Juliet" should be read as a lesson of how the greed, selfishness, and blindness of the older generation can destroy the future of the younger ones. I’m looking at you, climate-change-denying boomers.

But do you know which love story by Shakespeare should get more spotlight? Which love story is the prime example of a healthy relationship? Which love story contains two mature adults who are supportive of each other? Beatrice and Benedict in "Much Ado About Nothing". The play was written roughly in 1598 when gender equality was unthinkable. Yet, it was during this time that Shakespeare created a masterpiece relationship in which the two lovers are mature, independent, and equal in ways that even modern audiences like us should admire and learn from.

Enter Beatrice and Benedick

Meet Beatrice - a woman who is well past the prime age of getting married. She is witty, loud, unapologetic, and firmly believes that marriage is not one of her options. Sharing all of her characteristics and opinions is Benedick, a famous and beloved lord of Padua. Together, they laugh at the idea of marriage and at each other.

Benedick: “That a woman conceived me, I thank her; that she brought me up, I likewise give her most humble thanks; but that I will have a recheat winded in my forehead, or hang my bugle in an invisible baldrick, all women shall pardon me. Because I will not do them the wrong to mistrust any, I will do myself the right to trust none; and the fine is (for which I may go the finer), I will live a bachelor.”

(William Shakespeare, “Much Ado About Nothing”, Act 1 Scene 1)

Beatrice: “Not till God make men of some other metal than earth. Would it not grieve a woman to be overmastered with a piece of valiant dust? To make an account of her life to a clod of wayward marl? No, uncle, I’ll none. Adam’s sons are my brethren; and truly, I hold it a sin to match in my kindred.”

(William Shakespeare, “Much Ado About Nothing”, Act 2 Scene 1)

Beatrice and Benedick are a match, probably not made in heaven, but they match. At the start of "Much Ado About Nothing", both characters are already adults. Both possess a clear set of standards for their potential partners. They are equal in wits. Their banters are the constant source of delight not only for other characters but also for the audiences. Most of all, despite the contempt they publicly hold for each other, both Beatrice and Benedick secretly think highly of the other.

Benedick: “They say the lady is fair: ‘tis a truth, I can bear them witness; and virtuous: ‘tis so, I cannot reprove it; and wise, but for loving me. By my troth, it is no addition to her wit, or no great argument of her folly, for I will be horribly in love with her.”

(William Shakespeare, “Much Ado About Nothing”, Act 2 Scene 3)

Beatrice: “Stand I condemn’d for pride and scorn so much? Contempt, farewell! And maiden pride, adieu! No glory lives behind the back of such. And, Benedick, love on: I will requite thee, taming my wild heart to thy loving hand.”

(William Shakespeare, “Much Ado About Nothing”, Act 3 Scene 1)

The pinnacle of their relationship comes in the form of Hero's false accusation. Hero - Beatrice's beloved cousin - is accused of adultery the day before her marriage and publicly humiliated by her betrothed. Beatrice is the only one to stand on Hero's side, fiercely protecting the girl even as her father turns his back. We now learn that underneath this nagging annoying facade is a loving and courageous Beatrice who stands up for what is right. It endears her, not just to the audience, but also to Benedick.

Beatrice: “You have stayed me in a happy hour: I was about to protest I loved you.”

Benedick: “And do it with all thy heart.”

Beatrice: “I love you with so much of my heart that none is left to protest.”

Benedick: “Come, bid me do anything for thee.”

Beatrice: “Kill Claudio.”

(William Shakespeare, “Much Ado About Nothing”, Act 4 Scene 1)

As a companion of the prince Don Pedro and a close friend of Claudio - Hero's fiance, Benedick has every right to stand on the men's side humiliating Hero at the wedding. No one would really blame him, especially when you consider the patriarchal social structure that the play is set in. Besides, no one is supposed to know the truth of Hero's innocence. Yet, against all odds, Benedick chooses Hero and Beatrice’s side. When questioned, his answer is simple: because he believes in Beatrice and her judgement. In Benedick's mind, once Beatrice stands up for something, it must be right.

Benedick: “Surely, I do believe your fair cousin is wronged.”

(William Shakespeare, “Much Ado About Nothing”, Act 4 Scene 1)

This is a decisive moment for their relationship. The trust Benedick has in Beatrice can make or break both of them. Beatrice - an unmarried adult woman - does not have much of a voice, let alone power, in a patriarchal society like Messina. Her cousin Hero is even in a worse situation: she is accused of adultery, of betraying her fiance, and of losing her virginity to a low soldier. Her "crime" can very well end with her death. And yet, Benedick, renowned as he is, looking at these women and this society, decides to risk his status and credibility to protect them. To stand beside them is to stand against his prince, whom Hero's crime indirectly humiliates. If Hero's accusation is proven true, Benedick's fate would no doubt be doomed alongside hers and Beatrice's. Yet, there is no hesitation as Benedick confesses his love and trust to Beatrice. The trust they share becomes the strength for them to overcome this storm together and to save Hero. This is the last key to the foundation on which Beatrice and Benedict finally accept and build their relationship.

According to Dr Andrea Bonior - a licensed clinical psychologist, a healthy, functional relationship consists of several key characteristics: trust, communication, patience, empathy, affection and interest, flexibility, appreciation, room for growth, respect, reciprocity, healthy conflict resolution, individuality and boundaries, and openness and honesty. Beatrice and Benedict collect these characteristics almost like Thanos collecting the Infinity Stones. They certainly do not start as the pinnacle of a healthy relationship: they respect each other but prioritise their egos and pride. As they come to terms with their feelings, they learn to set aside their differences and listen to each other. Are they perfect yet? I would say no, and it is okay. Perfection is boring, and it is not Beatrice and Benedick with whom audiences across history fall in love. The Beatrice and Benedick that we love are loud, witty, and most of all, flawed like us. It is part of their charms.

In the Early Modern patriarchal society, women were considered decorative objects in men's lives. The mutual understanding, trust, and respect Beatrice and Benedict share were unmatched. Even now, in the roaring twenties of the twenty-first century, a man like Benedick is still a rarity, who against the “bro-code”, against all odds and even at the risk of his status quo, still believes the woman he loves unconditionally. Beatrice and Benedict might not be as epic, star-crossed lovers like Romeo and Juliet. But I would rather have what they have: this mature relationship built not only of lust and love, not also of trust, understanding, and respect.