In comparison to Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare also uses foreshadowing and dramatic irony, to present conflict within Much Ado about nothing. Whilst both plays are similar in the way that the subsequent and misunderstanding relationships between 'Claudio/hero' and Romeo/Juliet - drive the plots of love conflicted affairs, on the contrary to 'Romeo and Juliet'; instead of using deep 'haunting' words to present conflict, Shakespeare uses witty insults between Beatrice and Benedick foreshadowing their falling in love:"She misused me past the endurance of a block"From this quote we can see how Shakespeare uses metaphorical language through the word 'block' expressing how even a block of wood would become upset by Beatrice's horrible nature.
These verbal insults are used as not only does it spur the conflict between 'Beatrice' and 'Benedict' but also allow the audience to become aware that both protagonists are smarting from what has happened before the play begins.Similar to Romeo and Juliet; were Shakespeare immediately heightens the sense of conflict (in the prologue) by the use of dramatic irony, this is presented in Act 1 scene 1 of Much ado about nothing:"Kind of merry war betwixt signoir benedick and her"From this quote (by leonato) the idea of conflict is once again introduced straight away, allowing the audience with the knowledge of the war to follow-increasing the tension. The words 'merry' and 'war' together, show how Shakespeare uses juxtaposition in order to help set up the conflict within the play. In addition to this, he also uses a similar technique in 'Romeo and Juliet' Act 3 Scene 2, which shows how juxtaposition has become a key feature to present conflict within both plays."O serpent heart, with a flowering face" A damned saint, an honourable villain"Juliet uses these phrases whilst letting her feelings known towards Romeos actions.
Juxtaposition shows a clear contrast within her emotions, as she compliments Romeo followed by a distained insult - the use of a 'saint' in comparison to a 'villain' shows how Juliet is clearly deeply torn between her family's feud and love for Romeo, whilst 'serpent heart' (used to open her speech) shows how Shakespeare also uses metaphorical language to straight away keep the audience enticed by the complicated hatred within the love affair. However this purposely continues to build the tension of the love-hate conflict portrayed within the play. Shakespeare allows Juliet to express the inner conflict within the scene through the use of oxymorons such as: "Beautiful Tyrant".By comparing both plays we can see how they differ and how these effects the way Shakespeare presents conflict for example. Much ado about nothing is portrayed as a romantic comedy; therefore Shakespeare uses metaphorical language in a humorous way as Beatrice continues to pour scorn on Benedick."Courtesy itself must also convert to disdain if you come in her presence" - the use of personification entertains the audience and those on stage.
Also nowadays we are used to romantic comedies were both sides give as good as they get. Whereas in Elizabeth England, despite a woman being on the throne, there were very different expectations of female behaviour. Beatrice's ability to come back at Benedick each time-until he is the one that walks away-shows that she is not a conventional young woman.From this we can see how Shakespeare is showing us an alternative to the very silent love which Claudio and Hero will come to embody.
However, on the complete opposite 'Romeo and Juliet' is a tragedy. Therefore Shakespeare uses a much more violent approach in order to show conflict. For example the death of Mercutio and Tybalt are used to create a sense of tensity throughout the play, presenting the intensifying conflict. Whereas in Much ado about nothing, even though death is implied (Hero's death), the audience know that she hasn't died-showing how due to the difference in genres, Shakespeare uses much more dramatic irony in order to heighten the sense of conflict.
