HERE STANDS BENEDICK THE MARRIED MAN

[changeling]

Okay, flist, I have a challenge for you.

I need Benedick/Claudio slash. Seriously.

I just saw Bell Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, which I have (shame) never seen before, or read more than a precis of. I completely fell in love with Beatrice (who was beautiful and snarky, be still my beating heart), and I may be a little queer for Benedick too. Who was completely in love with Claudio, who was oblivious.

I need me some Benedick/Claudio slash, and if it includes Benedick/Beatrice, that's all to the better. Especially if it convinces me how Beatrice falls in love with Benedick, because I was JUST NOT CONVINCED BY THAT, SHAKESPEARE. Your/the actor's Benedick falling in love was gorgeously done, but Beatrice? Please. I believed it by the second half, but not at all in the first.

Also also? Benedick coming up to Beatrice as she's crying over her poor cousin and going "BTW, I love you". I totally wanted Beatrice to turn around and go, "NOW IS NOT THE TIME. Come back tomorrow. Srsly dude, have a heart."


Please, someone tell me there is a fandom for these two. Please. This is my new favourite Shakespeare play.

(Also, Austen stole heavily from this play for Pride & Prejudice, Y/Y? Discuss.)

Comments

[recessional]

B&B make much more sense in general (including her arc) if you assume (as I think Shakespeare is telegraphing) that they already WERE in love, HE screwed it up by being a dick, and the entire play is them figuring out, hey dude, we worked really well together.

[changeling]

I'd gathered from Jess that that's the emphasis usually placed on the text. This version, however, Beatrice seemed to think of Benedick more as "that mate/friend of a friend who I hang shit on" and you just see so much *more* of Benedick's conversion of perspective (I can't think of a more elegant way to phrase that, sorry). Whereas Bea says all these really valid reasons (as well as some flippant ones) as to why she'll never get married and then is suddenly OMG HE FANCIES ME! I MUST LOVE HIM TOO! ...which I just didn't believe.
And look, granted, I was at workshopping the night before and so my critical faculties were particularly strong, but...