Much Ado About Dating

We think it's a fair wager that at one stage or another, we've all sought dating advice. Be it from friends, family or your sister's copy of Cosmo, we've all reached out because we just didn't know how to 'break the ice' – a term coined by Shakespeare in The Taming of the Shrew, by the way - with the lady/man/both at the bookshop. 

However, We're going to put it to you that the world has been looking in all the wrong places for advice. Or more rather, we've been reading the wrong kinds of literature. There's only one man's timeless poetry you need to heed. No not Kanye West, We're talking about William Shakespeare.

Here's an outline of five dating and life lessons we can learn from one of Shakespeare's most famous comedies, Much Ado About Nothing.

1. Slaying 'the green-eyed monster'
A phrase originally coined by Shakespeare in Othello, letting the beast that is jealousy dictate your relationship and your life is rarely healthy. In Much Ado About Nothing, Don John is jealous of his brother and friends and seeks to makes their lives miserable. His plots are discovered and he awaits punishment by the end of the play.

Jealousy also causes fallout between best friends Claudio and Don Pedro, when the former believes the latter is trying to win Hero's heart for his own. Although the rift is quickly mended, jealousy can kill a relationship. Trusting your partner, not playing games and lengthening the leash are all good relationship practice.

Romeo and Juliet 2012

2. Don't let pride get in your way
When Claudio wrongly believes his wife-to-be has been unfaithful, he decides against sitting her down to have a chat and instead opts for a good old fashioned public humiliating at the altar.

Claudio's pride gets in the way of the truth and distorts his perceptions of innocent Hero, which leads to her own dad wishing her dead. It would certainly seem that men are a prideful bunch, but anyone can see from the scenario outlined above that a good chat and having some trust would have resolved the issue earlier.

As You Like It 2014

3. Infidelity doesn't pay
Shakespeare often focuses on infidelity in his comedies, especially when it comes to the ladies. Claudio, Don Pedro and Hero's own father are all quick to believe that Hero has been pouring treasure into foreign laps, without even consulting her.

Knowing your partner well and trusting them seems like obvious advice, but rarely headed. If you suspect your partner of groping for trout in a peculiar river, maybe you should confront him or her before jumping to any conclusions?

A Midsummer Night's Dream 2013

4. Pretending to be someone you're not
Don Pedro pretends to be Claudio and Margaret pretends to be Hero in the play; needless to say, neither ends particularly well. Pretending to be something or someone you're not doesn’t last and you'll eventually have to come clean or be found out. Always be yourself, unless you can be Beyoncé. In which case, always be Beyoncé.

The Comedy of Errors 2011

 5. Don't listen to other people, especially your mates
Think about it; these are the same people that told you jumping out of that second floor window wouldn't hurt.

In Much Ado, Don Pedro engineers a scenario to get Benedick and Beatrice together, just so he and his men have a wedding to go to while they wait for Claudio and Hero's. It all ends happily ever after, but we the audience have to ask for how long?

As You Like It 2014

 

 

There is an obvious irony of a blog post offering advice on dating that then concludes with the message that you shouldn't listen to other people. But as any A-level English Literature student will happily regurgitate to you - Shakespeare was all about the irony.

And like the patronising final thought on Jerry Springer, we'll leave you with this. 'Love is blind' (Merchant of Venice) and you might have to bundle into a few people before you meet the right one, but only you will know which is the right for you, so bundle on.

Also, if you fancy taking that special someone out this summer and finding out even more Shakespearean relationship advice first hand, why not join us at Stafford Castle for the 25th anniversary of Stafford Festival Shakespeare between June 25 and July 11, 2015. You can find out more about the event here.

All photos are from previous Stafford Festival Shakespeare productions.