Mix & Match: Relationships
~Blog post #3~
Topic H
May 1, 2015
From the beginning of Emma,
Mr. Knightley and Emma share an interesting relationship that takes readers
through their many twists and turns. Comparatively, Mr. Knightley and Emma have
a lot in common with Much Ado
About Nothing's Benedick and Beatrice. Beatrice and Benedick joke around
like a brother and a sister do. "Mr.
Knightley loves to find fault with me, you know - in a joke," Emma says in
an earlier chapter. Back then, their relationship seemed light-hearted with a
hint of childish flirting. Though, as the story progresses, so does their
relationship. Similar to Much
Ado, the love interest is revealed as others get involved. Beatrice and
Benedick were lied to by their friends, but in Emma I believe the love is sparked by
Frank and Jane causing jealousy among the two. Emma has always
expressed her jealousy of Jane and as Mr. Knightley seems interested she
constantly needs proof that he does not. In return, Mr. Knightley says, "Hum!
Just the trifling, silly fellow I took him for" about Frank (333). Emma
and Mr. Knightley fight over Frank and have immersed themselves into
a jealous and competitive relationship. My prediction, as for all comedies, is
that this book will end in a marriage or some sort of romantic, dramatic huge
ending. Beatrice and Benedick put all the lies and past fighting aside because
they found love. If Emma and Mr. Knightley can find a way to end the constant
fighting, they may soon find that they both love each other more than the fake
loves they share with Frank and Jane, who could even still be in love with each
other!
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ReplyDeleteI agree with this comparison, Jaclyn. I also see a lot of similarities between Emma and Mr. Knightley’s relationship when compared to Benedick and Beatrice. Throughout the beginning of both Much Ado about Nothing and Emma, there is an abundance of foreshadowing leading the reader to sense future romance. At the very start of Emma, Mr. Knightley is introduced as a “frequent visitor” and the only one who doesn't see Emma as perfect (7). In both scenarios, it is obvious that the two pairs have feelings for each other despite disagreements. However, the way in which the pairs will come together will certainly be different in the two novels. I think your point about Mr. Knightley and Emma being drawn together through jealousy is accurate, and in the end I predict they will realize their true feelings. Hopefully there is a happy ever after like Beatrice and Benedick in Much Ado!
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