Falling in Love with the Least Expected
~Blog Post #5~
Topic H
May 15, 2015
Mary Kate Mooney
The honest and critical relationship between Emma and Mr. Knightley is very similar to the relationship between Beatrice and Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare. In each novel, the characters have a sibling-like, argumentative relationship, where they do not have much regard for the feelings of the other. Mr. Knightley does not hold back when he is criticizing Emma and "[is] one of the few people who [can] see faults in [her]" (Austen 6). Emma also does not hesitate to speak her mind regarding Mr. Knightey. As a reader, I would think they were brother and sister the way they go back and forth commenting about the other. Mr. Knightley seems to see Emma as young and immature, and he feels the need to criticize her and teach her right from wrong, especially when it comes to matchmaking. Benedick and Beatrice have a very similar relationship. They are constantly arguing about pointless matters and commenting witty remarks. They do not hesitate to point out flaws and make fun of one another. In addition, both Emma and Beatrice are against the idea of love and marriage. They both believe they will remain single forever, and they accept it. However, in the end, they both fall in love with the man you'd least expect. Emma realizes her love for Mr. Knightley and Beatrice confesses her love to Benedick. Both create a major twist in the plot and surprise the reader. It made me think that maybe it's the person who recognizes your flaws and accepts them that can love you the most.
I really like your connection Mary-Kate. I completely see the resemblance in their relationships. Their constant bickering and disagreeing is exactly the reason I think both of the relationships work out in the end. They're each able to open up to each other because they are so comfortable and enjoy challenging each other's thoughts and opinions. They find love in the place they'd least expect- in someone they thought they hated but deep down actually had very strong feelings for. It also takes a bit for each relationship to form as anything more than friends. Benedick and Beatrice have to be tricked while Mr. Knightley reveals his feelings to Harriet on his own. Though she is surprised, she's also excited and happy.
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