Much Ado: Lesson III: Thought Question IX

Lady Macbeth and Beatrice. Similar, but also very different. Lady Macbeth is a ruthless killer through and through until she begins feeling guilty. Beatrice just gets caught up in the moment and finds an apt way to test Benedick and let off a little steam. Beatrice's grim request is emotional, based off a need for revenge. Lady Macbeth's is a tactical strike. She is more or less her husband's agent, advising and managing him for his political position. After the Murder of Duncan, she grew panicked, worried, and more than a little insane due to her guilt. Beatrice eventually cooled off because luckily, her plans didn't come to fruition. If Benedick would have hunted down and butchered Claudio then and there, the events of the play would be radically different...