Beatrice

Beatrice, like Benedick, is very proud of her bachelor status. She is a great critic of men in general, Benedick in particular. She is very charming, vivacious and high spirited, always bubbling with mirth. Her most attractive quality is her attachment to her cousin Hero. Also appreciable are her tremendous courage and clarity of thought in seeing through the schemes of others (except the one perpetrated against herself, to make her fall in love).

It may not be an exaggeration to say that she is the soul of the play. Like many of Shakespearean women, she is very intelligent and witty. She is a highly alert and aware character. She stands for the voice of reason: she cannot bear any injustice being done to her innocent cousin Hero. Unlike her cousin, she does not hesitate to express her views openly.

The most interesting aspect of her character is her attitude to Benedick. It is indeed ironic that a person who can so well voice her (as well as others') opinions should deny her affection for her perfect match -- Benedick. It takes a little bit of scheming on the parts of her friends to bring her to acknowledge her feelings for him. She denies her affection right from the start of the play; however, it is evident even then. She is very interested to know how Benedick has performed in the battle, though she does not realize it.

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