In William Shakespeare’s play, Much Ado About Nothing, there are many themes present and one of those is the theme of love. Philia, Eros, and Agape are the three types of love present in the play and are what represent the theme of love. These three types of love, Philia, Eros, and Agape are expressed by the different characters in the play. The expression of the theme of love in the play is not Just there by accident; William Shakespeare put it in this comedic and romantic play with a purpose.
Philia is one of the three kinds of love expressed in the play.
The type of love that Philia represents is a love in between friends and family, a love that is not sexual or romantic. In the play this kind of love is shown in between a few characters in the play, Benedick and Claudio, Don Pedro and Claudio, and Hero and Beatrice. (Act 2, scene 3, linesl 7-21 , pg.
229) Benedick- (referring to Claudio) He was wont to speak plain and to the purpose, like an honest man and a soldier- his words are a very fantastical banquet, Just so many strange dishes. Benedick is talking about Claudio nd how he has fallen in love with Hero, he mentions how he’s not cut out for something like this but Claudio is the perfect guy for it, and how wonderful of a man Claudio is. The love in between friends is always crucial in a friendship because you know that other person will do many things for your well being and it is emphasized all throughout the play to show the reader that without some kind of love a friendship will fail. Eros is the second of the three types of love shown throughout the play. It is the ind of love that is romantic, can be a fickle, and everything from a crush to a deep passion.
The two characters in the play that share this kind of love are Hero and Claudio. (Act 1, scene 1, lines 155-188, pg. 221) Claudio- Benedick, didst thou note the daughter of Signor Leonato? Benedick- I noted her not but I looked on her. Claudio- Is she not a modest young lady? Benedick- Do you question me as an honest man should do, for my simple true Judgment? Or would you have me speak after my custom, as being a professed tyrant to their sex?
Claudio- No, I pray thee, speak in sober Judgment. Benedick- Why, i’ faith, methinks she’s too low for a high praise, and too little for a great praise.
Only this commendation I can afford her, that were she other than she is, she were unhandsome, and being no other but as she is, I do not like her. Claudio- In mine eye she is the sweetest lady that ever I looked on. Benedick- But I hope you have no intent to turn husband, have you? Claudio- I would scarce trust myself, though I had sworn the contrary, if Hero would be my wife.
In this conversation with Benedick, Claudio expresses the way he feels towards hero after laying eyes upon her for the first time and would like nothing more than to be married to such a woman.
He knows what he feels when he sees her but he asks for Benedicks opinion of her to see if his good friend approves of her but Benedick doesn’t sound too fond of Hero and Claudio’s feelings towards her. (Act 2, scene 1, lines 282-297, pg. 227) Don Pedro- l’ faith, lady, I think your blazon to be true, though