The Truth Came Out (Benedick / Beatrice)

[inward_audacity]

Based on this prompt on Tumblr: 'you're so attractive but every time you open your mouth i want to strangle you how did you end up in my bed exactly how many tequila shots did i have last night' au for beatrice and benedick?

Comments

[dm12]

There certainly were hints of it in the play. "I know you of old," along with some other comments Beatrice made before the trick was played on them, indicated that they had some sort of relationship earlier on. So what everyone did to them merely confirmed what they already knew deep in their hearts. They were just too scared to reveal it until then.

Your theory is entirely plausible, not to mention nicely written.

[inward_audacity]

Thank you! I'm glad you agree with me! I always thought there has to be something that happened between them before the start of the play.

[dm12]

It's interesting... I'm looking at the Spark Notes online for this play and, right from the beginning, they stated that those two must have a strong bond with each other, that they anticipate each other's retorts and continue the line of thinking (parrot... horse, animal themes back and forth).

They also literally state that Benedick and Beatrice had courted in the past, and Benedick abandoned her. Furthermore, as you say, their friends realize that they would be too intelligent to fall for their tricks if they didn't already love each other. Their goal was to help them acknowledge what everyone else knows is there. Their comments appealed to each one's psychology. Neither Benedick nor Beatrice want to truly see the other suffer on their account.

Too bad my husband so vehemently hates Shakespeare, because this is one rom-com worth seeing. Once you get past the language, you realize how raunchy it actually is in parts!

[inward_audacity]

That's interesting. I have seen Spark Notes but I never read that bit. I always love their back and forth, like you said, they're ready for each other. I like to think they're just very much in sync with each other. Even if they don't want to be.

Yep. Shakespeare is hard to follow in the beginning. He speaks in riddles and it's difficult to decipher but once you get past all that, it's not that bad. He does come up with very interesting plots and storylines. Too bad your husband doesn't like it. It's such a wonderful play.