For the majority of the play, Much Ado About Nothing written by Shakespeare Williams, Beatrice has played as the Tsundere archetype, popularized by Japanese anime. The Tsundere archetype requires a character to be intentionally cruel and ill-mannered to another, but in reality, she is deeply in love with the character she is berating.
In this play, Beatrice’s first lines was concerning Signior Benedick whom she references with a nickname:
BEATRICE: I pray you, is Signior Mountanto returned from the wars or no?
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This causes confusion with the Messenger as he has no knowledge of any Signior named that before Hero clarified who Beatrice was referring to:
HERO: My cousin means Signior Benedick of Padua. (1.1.30-35)
At first glance, Beatrice seems to be ridiculing Signior Benedick but as the play progresses, the audience understands Beatrice’s dislike towards Benedick. With this in mind, Beatrice taunting towards Benedick demonstrates a sign of soft hearted feelings for him. Naturally, people that detest each other would do their best to avoid each other and only badmouth one another when they are brought up into a conversation. Beatrice here willingly brings up the topic of Benedick as well as asking the Messenger whether or not he has come back from war. This quote illustrates Beatrice’s distaste but it also shows that she may have some sorts of romantic feelings or in the very least, concern for Benedick. Beatrice displays both attributes of the tsundere archetype, an aversion towards Benedick but at the same time, indicating some signs of affection.
Beatrice continues to fulfill only a part of the Tsundere archetype as the play advances. In 3.1, Beatrice listens to the conversation between Hero and Ursula where the audience is finally exposed to Beatrice’s feelings relating to Benedick:
BEATRICE: And Benedick, love on; I will requite thee,
Taming my wild heart to thy loving hand.
If thou dost love, my kindness shall incite thee
To bind our loves up in a holy band. (3.1.116-119)
Beatrice here completes the one part of the criteria required for the Tsundere archetype. Previously, Beatrice has hinted at some signs of love towards Benedick that was masked by her taunting and mocking, however, here, she finally exhibits how far she has falling in love with Benedick. Beatrice states how her heart will only be tamed to Benedick’s hand and if Benedick truly loves her, his love will be met with kindness which will be binded by a holy band.
The holy band mentioned may refer to wedding rings which means Beatrice will marry Benedick if he truly loves her revealing how far her love goes for Benedick. This quote discloses that Beatrice has no ill-feelings towards Beendick at that moment and instead, presents all of Beatrice’s true feelings. This also verifies that Beatrice begins to only follow one part of the Tsundere archetype as she has shown no cruelty towards Benedick and only a maiden that is madly in love with a man.
