The quarreling between Beatrice and Benedick in William Shakespeare's play Much Ado About Nothing has long been marveled at, both within the play and by audiences. Beatrice and Benedick are an unmatched display of carefully paired intelligence, wit, and humor. Yet the fundamental question that seems to haunt the plot is whether they really love each other. The willfulness, wit and wisdom of the two fighting lovers plays a large part in their coerced match.
Beatrice is a prime example of a strong female character. She is spirited, cynical, witty and intelligent. Because of her with and quick tongue Beatrice is one of the play's most pleasant characters. Beatrice detests the idea of marriage because it would cause her to submit to a man. Yet, in spite of her criticism of marriage, she realizes it is the social convention. Her guardian and uncle, Leonato, tells her, "By my troth, niece, thou wilt never get thee a husband if thou be so shrewd of the tongue" (2.1.16-17). Leonato also hopes to one day see Beatrice, "fitted with a husband" (2.1.53-54), to which statement Beatrice condemns marriage by saying, "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?" (2.1.55-57). .
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Beatrice's wit comes out best, however, when she is paired with Benedick who also vows never to marry. They both have a mature awareness of what marriage demands, causing them to shun it. Aside from their views of marriage, Benedick and Beatrice engage in a competition to outwit, outsmart, and out-insult the other. Neither ever lets the other say anything without countering it with a pun or criticism. One characteristic of their attacks on each other is their ability to extend a metaphor throughout lines of dialogue. When Benedick calls Beatrice a "rare parrot-teacher," Beatrice responds, "A bird of my tongue is better than a beast of yours" (1.
