Much Ado About Beatrice: The True Hero Of Messina
analytical Essay
1385 words
Much Ado About Beatrice: The True Hero of Messina
In William Shakespeare's short play Much Ado About Nothing, he focuses on the social standings and the roles of women in 16th Century Europe. The female protagonist of the play, Beatrice, understands the restrictions placed upon her by society and how these restrictions should limit her as a woman, but she inexorably escapes them by refusing to succumb to the unifying hand of marriage. Throughout the play, Shakespeare displays his profound respect for woman as independent individuals who are fully capable of making their own decisions and suffering their own consequences. Through the plot, he proposes the idea that women who deviate away from the passivity that society expects them to perform attain a more active role in the determination of their future. Contrary to the roles of women of the 16th Century, Shakespeare depiction of Beatrice's independence is symbolic of his stance on the progression and transformation of women's reputation in society.
Shakespeare undoubtedly creates a coherent distinction between Beatrice and Hero, the two main female characters, in such a way that allows the audience to irrefutably note their differing dispositions. Hero, “a face without a voice” (Cook 8), is characterized by her passivity and inability to assert herself, whereas Beatrice, whose speech “might seem [like] a serious violation of Messina's conventions of gender” (Cook 7), is characterized by her witty and unconventional independence that ultimately delineates the sure separation between her and women of 16th Century Europe. Almost immediately, one can observe Beatrice's acerbic demeanor towards one of the main male characters, Signior Benedick. As the messenger is informing Beatrice...
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...itations and expectations that were placed upon women of the 16th Century and uses many characters, such as Beatrice and Hero, as mediums to help present his stance on the advancement of women's roles.
Beatrice's refusal to be controlled by men and Hero's subservience carries echoes of modern-day feminism. Comparing this novel to a contemporary society, women have made a substantial amount of progress in terms of gender roles. It is women like Beatrice, and the many others that choose to defy the expectations that are placed upon us by society, that help us progress to a more utopian civilization. This novel can be read by future generations to reflect back on how much we have changed and how much we have progressed, not only as women, but as humans in general. Additionally, this play also serves as one of the world's greatest odes to the single life known to man.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how shakespeare's much ado about nothing focuses on the social standings and the roles of women in 16th century europe. shakespeare displays his profound respect for women as independent individuals who are fully capable of making their own decisions.
- Analyzes how shakespeare creates a coherent distinction between beatrice and hero, the two main female characters.
- Analyzes how shakespeare creates a juxtaposition between the characters of beatrice and signior benedick in order to bolster his stance on why his independence best reflects his ideas on the advancement of women.
- Analyzes how shakespeare portrays his belief that women can be held to the same standards as men through beatrice's actions towards the men in the play. hero is ambiguous in terms of understanding her thoughts and beliefs.
- Analyzes how beatrice's tone towards the male characters in the novel, particularly hero, infers that she holds herself to a higher standard than that of the other female characters.
- Analyzes how shakespeare explores the limitations and expectations that were placed upon women of the 16th century and uses many characters, such as beatrice, as mediums to present his stance on the advancement of women's roles.
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- Much Ado About Nothing: Beatrice Potrayalanalytical essayShakespeare represents Beatrice as a very feisty, cynical and sharp woman during the play. We can especially see this when she uses her wit to shock the messenger saying, in act one scene one, that ‘he is no less than a stuffed man.’ This is exceedingly disrespectful to fashion such a rude comment about a man who is just about to arrive back from war. One thing Shakespeare clearly shows us is that Beatrice would not be the ideal woman for most men. To emphasize this he contrasts Beatrice with a weak and quiet character such as Hero who acts upon every mans instruction, we can see this when Beatrice says to Leonato that its her ‘cousins duty’ to say ‘father as it please you.’ Shakespeare makes such a clear contrast between the two women to the extent that Beatrice steals most of Hero’s attention from the other male characters in the play. Furthermore he shows us how Beatrice is perhaps a threat to the patriarchal society at the time, we can see this on page fifty-nine where she implys that it is her duty to please herself, whether or not her father consents. This is unlike Hero, who cannot do anything unless a man is fighting her corner, however Beatrice is willing to
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how shakespeare depicts beatrice as a strong character in 'much ado about nothing'. her sharp wit and her ability to be acutely opinionated allow her to stand out from the other women.
- Analyzes how shakespeare portrays beatrice as a feisty, cynical and sharp woman during the play.
- Analyzes how shakespeare portrays beatrice as a positive or negative role model, but he certainly makes it clear she does.
- Analyzes how shakespeare portrays beatrice as a radical woman for her time. she is irrational by requesting benedick to kill claudio.
- Analyzes how shakespeare provides us with many moments in the play from which one can assume she is a positive role model.
- Concludes that beatrice is a positive role model, but not ideal in man's world, because she is opinionated, sarcastic, and perhaps verges on rude at times. shakespeare gives her positive characteristics, amongst all the others.
983 wordsRead More - Lovers of Messina in Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothinganalytical essayFiguratively speaking, there are several ears propped to a door, eavesdropping on a conversation pivotal to Shakespeare's comedy, Much Ado About Nothing; a story about love; real, new and pretended, that began before the messenger arrives with his news. Two very different couples cling to each other or push one another away during five acts of masked balls, sighing under balconies, hysterics, a make-shift death and resurrection, attempts to compose poetry and finally, a feast. The lovers of Messina: innocent Hero, fiery Beatrice and their gallant knights, weak Claudio and comic Benedict stumble through abundant trickery, taking very different paths to reach the same goal: a happily-ever-after ending.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the lovers of messina in shakespeare's much ado about nothing cling to each other or push one another away during five acts of masked balls, hysterics, and a make-shift death and resurrection.
- Analyzes how hero, the main character of the play, is a silent presence for the entire first and second acts. she is described by everyone as beautiful, kind and gentle.
- Analyzes how hero and her father realize later that she had not conceded to marrying don pedro, but claudio. her willingness to transport her hand from one man to another shows that it is not in her own interests.
- Analyzes how hero is the victim in the play, the loser in a situation she wasn't part of, and the target of anger directed at her father and fiancé.
- Analyzes how beatrice, her rambunctious cousin, lives in leonato's house and shares a room with hero. while hero was quiet for most of the play, she dominates most conversations.
- Analyzes how beatrice describes hero as a quiet, sweet girl. she appears to be the older cousin and certainly the wisest.
- Analyzes how claudio is the gallant soldier just arrived from the wars in which he distinguished himself. he is both a hero and villain in the play.
- Analyzes how claudio is tricked again by don john into believing the figure that he saw in hero's window to be his modest bride.
- Analyzes how bene*censored fell in love with beatrice long before hero and claudio met. she used her newfound love to her advantage, demanding that he kill her.
- Analyzes how the relationships of the four characters are different. hero, claudio, beatrice, and bene*censored have a never-ending conflict that hints at an earlier relationship.
- Explains that beatrice is firm in her ideas of not succumbing to a man, thus becoming his wife.
- Analyzes how the circumstances that lead to a marriage between claudio and hero make it impossible that there is real love between them.
- Analyzes how the two male protagonists exchange personalities with respect to their heroines, hero and beatrice, through trickery and eavesdropping.
- Analyzes how we can imagine the lives of the lovers of messina as they were before the play began and infer how they will be when the last curtain closes. claudio wronged hero, killed her; out of her death and rebirth there might be a new love.
1134 wordsRead More - William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing is a rich play, entertaining, and straightforward, that explores a multitude of themes effortlessly: how deception can be used as a means to an end, for either negative or positive results, or the strengths and vulnerabilities of love and marriage. But, perhaps, the most compelling theme of the novel is how gender identity and traditional gender roles limit and define how men and women should perform and interact in society. While Shakespeare uses many of the characters in the play to illustrate how honour is defined differently for men and women, or how social grace and polished manners controlled the interactions between men and women, Shakespeare utilizes the characters of Beatrice and Benedick
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how shakespeare's much ado about nothing explores a multitude of themes effortlessly, such as deception and the strengths and vulnerabilities of love and marriage. beatrice and benedick offer contrasting arguments on how some men and women defy traditional gender roles and social decorum.
- Analyzes how benedick defies traditional gender roles by slandering hero as his friends did.
- Analyzes how benedick implores that leonato be patient, wondering about the validity of the claims against hero, and friar francis, who believes hero has been wronged.
- Analyzes how benedick defies gender norms by showing that he cares for beatrice openly, and is trying to offer her comfort.
- Analyzes how benedick defies the stereotype that men aren't allowed to be emotional or open with their feelings, especially love. beatrice is uncomfortable expressing her love for him.
- Analyzes how beatrice defies the gender norm by criticizing the honor of men who speak falsely of hero's virtue.
- Analyzes how shakespeare's message on the limitations of gender and those who defy those gender norms is spread through the written dialogue, but there are elements in a written play that can't be understood by reading dialogue.
- Analyzes how the film is better at reminding us the setting of the play, which is set in messina.
- Analyzes how beatrice declares her love for benedick, and the music increases to a crescendo, signaling the scenes intensity and importance. the kiss expresses their journey throughout the play.
- Analyzes how the film deviates from the dialogue in the play, where benedick kisses beatrice's hand or asks her to think of him.
- Analyzes how beatrice and benedick are aware of the constraints and limitations of their identity, but refuse to let that dictate how they will engage and interact in life. shakespeare establishes that gender norms are not concrete, can be broken.
2420 wordsRead More - ...ergren, Paula S. “The Woman’s Part: Female Sexuality as Power in Shakespeare’s Plays.” The Woman’s Part: Feminist Criticism of Shakespeare. Ed. Carolyn Ruth Swift Lenz, Gayle Greene and Carol Thomas Neely. Chicago: University of Illinois Press, 1980.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that women lived in a somewhat liberated environment before marriage, i.e., while they were still chaste. however, this environment was born to die.
- Explains that wit was dangerous, especially in minds and mouths of women, since it impinged on the morality of the man.
- Analyzes how susan dwyer amussen comments on elizabethan familial structure in a companion to shakespeare.
- Analyzes how marianne l. novy's comments on the powerlessness of the daughter are illustrative.
- Analyzes how prospero, miranda, caliban, and ariel inhabited the island before the tempest.
- Analyzes how miranda serves as a powerful inspiration for prospero's survival.
- Analyzes how prospero wants to make the acquisition of his daughter extremely difficult. he wants a marriage of goodness and respect.
- Analyzes how shakespeare structures miranda to adhere to the commonalities of the period and demonstrates how the male suffocates the female in the name of her value.
- Explains that love's argument: gender relations in shakespeare.
- Explains shakespeare's tempest. the norton shakespeare: based on the oxford edition. stephen greenblatt, walter cohen, jean e. howard and katharine eisaman maus.
- Analyzes how shakespeare's treatment of women has evolved since elizabethan england. in woman’s part, carolyn ruth swift lenz argues that patriarchal order takes different forms and is portrayed with varying degrees of emphasis.
- Analyzes martha andresen-thom's article "women and their prosperous art: a reply to juliet dusinberre’s shakespeare and the nature of women."
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3452 wordsRead More - How are women presented in Romeo and Juliet ,To his Coy Mistress and The Human Intrest ?analytical essayI shall endeavour to explore and analyse how women are presented in Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”, Marvell’s “To His Coy Mistress” and Duffy’s “Human Interest”.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how women are presented in shakespeare's "romeo and juliet" and marvell’s “to his coy mistress”.
- Analyzes how the word "maidenhead" in romeo and juliet implies that sampson is going to take the virginity of the women ferociously against their will.
- Analyzes how the main character introduced in act 1.1 is lady capulet. she is an ineffectual mother, relying on the nurse for practical support.
- Analyzes how lord capulet informs paris that his daughter is not ready for the marriage as she had not turned 14 yet.
- Analyzes how romeo's feelings for rosaline fade after he ascertained that she did not like him back.
- Analyzes how benvolio insults rosaline by calling her ugly and poisonous.
- Analyzes how romeo uses religious imagery to describe juliet in act 1.5. he refers to her virginity and objectifies her when he says "shrine".
- Analyzes how romeo uses religious to describe juliet. he compares her to a rich jewel in an ethiopia's ear.
- Analyzes how mercutio used the word pink flower to refer to female gentiles. he was a typical man from the elizabethan era who made crude jests at the expense of women.
- Analyzes how mercutio makes fun of the nurse because she is trying to act like a higher class citizen and it was socially acceptable.
- Analyzes how capulet vents his anger on juliet when she refuses to marry paris, but she tries to reduce the disappointment he is feeling for her by being thankful and polite.
- Analyzes how capulet releases his frustration and makes juliet feel foolish. he refers to her as a "minion" which suggests she is inferior.
- Analyzes how lord capulet behaves cruel and possessive towards juliet to persuade her to marry paris.
- Analyzes how juliet respects her father and acts like a slave. she is stubborn and immature, although lord capulet refuses to call of her wedding with paris.
1332 wordsRead More - to kill a mockingbirdanalytical essayThe novel shows women like Calpurnia and Miss Maudie to have strong morals that they not only follow, but share with people around them. Women are role models for children, they try to teach the difference between good and bad. Also women are confined to follow certain social rules like Alexandra a talented women but sits in the hose having tea and gossiping
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the novel demonstrates women being expected to follow social rules, to have strong morals and be a role model to children.
- Analyzes how scout's aunt, alexandra, feels that women should have their own personality and be individuals. scout defies the boundaries of how a woman is supposed to act and acts differently.
- Analyzes how calpurnia's influence on scout and jem continued to grow as he grew older. miss maudie is special to the children since she treats them like an equal.
- Analyzes how calpurnia shows compassion and affection for scout and jem regardless of their blood connection. she defies society's negative perception of women.
- Analyzes how the novel shows women like calpurnia and miss maudie to have strong morals that they not only follow, but share with people around them.
775 wordsRead More - The Effects of Femininityanalytical essayIn order for us to deal with how a consideration of femininity can effect our understanding of a literary text, we must also be able to grasp the notion of `feminism' and `Feminist Literary Theory'. A dictionary definition of `feminism' is: `the advocacy of women's rights on the grounds of the equality of the sexes.' Although this leans towards feminism in the historical sense of the word, it still provides the grounds, or foundations, from which feminist literary theories were created. Feminists argue against the stereotyping and social construction of female norms, seeing them as created by men in order to establish their own sense of power. It is thought that while males suggest that gender is sex and not actually a construct, the female role will become much more passive, stereotyped and controlled.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the governess often describes miles as having an innocence in the text, although more attention is paid to his innocence.
- Analyzes how cixous' arrogance evaporates as he becomes suspicious of desdemona and turns into torment'.
- Analyzes how othello's jealousy, his tragic flaw, is paid for by desdemona, who is his wife, and he resorts to what iago calls him in the play.
- Argues feminist critics might find fault in the fact that desdemona, who is actually innocent, must grovel to save her own life.
- Explains that feminism and feminist literary theories are based on the original sex of the being, and can be related to masculine or feminine notions.
- Analyzes how feminist literary theory rewrites the 'literary canon' in order to identify neglected texts by female writers. the governess in james' turn of the screw is the heroic figure battling the ghosts of peter quint and ms jessel
- Analyzes how the governess performs both passive and active acts throughout the text.
- Argues that the governess is not a stereotypical woman to be condemned by feminist critics.
- Analyzes how feminist literary theory aims to revisit male authored texts in order to examine the depiction of women in shakespeare's othello.
- Opines that othello could have a chauvinistic and arrogant side to his character which is evident from his early speech.
- Analyzes how a female's reputation depends on the male opinion in the patriarchal and western construct of society.
- Concludes that feminist criticism can be applied better to certain texts than others. henry james' the turn of the screw contradicts feminist literary theory.
1573 wordsRead More - Theme Of Gender In Much Ado About Nothinganalytical essayConsidering Shakespeare was writing during the Renaissance, there were undeniable social constructs regarding men and woman that were translated into much of the writing during the time. That is, besides Shakespeare’s. This is not to say that inequality is not found in Shakespeare’s plays, he seems to take a snapshot of all the gender and racial bias and lay it out in his plays for the world to see. But at the time, he introduces, quite sneakily in fact, some shockingly revolutionary concepts regarding men, woman, and gender constructs. In Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, he diverts from some of the social norms surrounding women and relationships, and offers the audience an example of a captivating, honest, real life love story.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how shakespeare went out on a limb when developing beatrice, based on the historical knowledge of the renaissance.
- Analyzes how the uniqueness of benedick and beatrice shows a lot about renaissance time and the present day.
- Analyzes how beatrice and benedick represent a less than flawless symbol of love that is much more than skin deep.
- Analyzes how shakespeare's much ado about nothing diverts from some of the social norms surrounding women and relationships and offers the audience an example of a captivating, honest, real life love story.
1292 wordsRead More - representation of women in much ado about nothinganalytical essay(Essay intro) In the modern day, women have the luxury of belonging to themselves but unfortunately this was not always the case. During his life, William Shakespeare created many positive female characters who defied the traditional gender roles and brought attention to the misogynistic patriarchy of Elizabethan England. One of these true feminist icons is ‘Much Ado about Nothing’s. Beatrice. The women in ‘Much Ado about Nothing’ defy traditional gender roles. Beatrice represents a brave and outspoken woman who defies the oppressive, traditional gender roles for the female sex. Her cousin Hero, however, represents those women who were successfully oppressed by the patriarchy and accepted the traditional gender roles without much complaint.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how shakespeare created positive female characters who defied traditional gender roles and brought attention to the misogynistic patriarchy of elizabethan england.
- Analyzes the elizabethan society in which shakespeare lived during his life held a misogynistic ideology in high esteem. "much ado about nothing" was written in 1598-9, when women were second class citizens compared to males.
- Analyzes how the misogynistic attitude of the time period is present in the play 'much ado about nothing'. leonato is demonstrating the ownership that men had over women.
- Analyzes how shakespeare's "much ado about nothing" depicts beatrice as a woman who denounces husbands and men.
- Analyzes how beatrice is intelligent, witty, and brave. she believes women to be the better sex and demands equality from marriage.
- Analyzes how beatrice goes against the traditional gender roles for women as she would not hesitate to do harm to claudio, something that a woman would never have done. she recognizes the limitations of being female in that time period.
- Analyzes how hero represents the ideal woman of the elizabethan era. she conforms to traditional gender roles, is obedient, and poses no threat to the patriarchy as beatrice.
- Analyzes how hero does not stand up for herself to her father, but she does demonstrate that she can think for itself. in act 3, scene 4, hero prays, "god give me joy to wear it; for my heart is exceeding heavy."
- Analyzes how beatrice urges hero to speak her mind and defy the traditional gender roles if she does not wish to marry the man her father chooses for her.
- Analyzes how margaret does not fit the typical role of a woman in the elizabethan era. she possesses intelligent wit and uses sexual innuendos which break decorum.
- Analyzes how beatrice represents modern women, hero represents women from shakespeare’s time, women who followed the traditional gender roles but slowly began to question those roles and the patriarchy, and margaret represents the women in between.
- Explains that shakespeare was ahead of his time with his view of women. he likely drew inspiration for his female characters from elizabeth i, the english monarch at the time.
- Analyzes how shakespeare used his characters as a subtle way of empowering women by casting strong women in positive light.
1270 wordsRead More - Benedick and Beatrice's Love in Much Ado About Nothinganalytical essayDon Pedro and his men return from the war and visit the house of Leonato and his brother, Antonio. This sudden meeting reunites Beatrice with her archrival, Benedick, and it is here that Claudio and Hero fall in love.
In this essay, the author
- Compares the characters in shakespeare's much ado about nothing to romeo and juliet. both are innocent, quite, and beautiful young women who fall in love instantly without conversing with the other person.
- Analyzes how beatrice is the best character shakespeare created. she is gifted with wit, humor, and strength uncommon in shakespeare's time.
- Opines that shakespeare couldn't have picked a better character to add to his play. beatrice, with her quick wit and humor, is easily the spotlight stealer in much ado about nothing.
- Narrates how leonato hosts a masked dance where don pedro woes hero for claudio. don john tries to tell him his brother is wooing him for himself.
- Analyzes how balthasar's song in act ii, is precluded by a subtle yet important line from himself.
- Analyzes how the girl and boy hook up during summer, but for some reason she wants to call it off. he still tries to get her back because he’s developed feelings for her and wants a real relationship.
- Analyzes how hero starts the game by conversing with her attendant, ursula, about benedick’s secret love of beatrice within her earshot. don pedro and claudio start talking in carrying voices.
- Analyzes how hero, ursula, don pedro, and claudio trick benedick and beatrice into believing that the other loves them with a secret passion.
- Analyzes don john's plan to have claudio see hero "cheating" on him, but it is only margaret who sees it.
- Narrates how beatrice is furious that claudio could accuse her cousin of such scandalous acts and tells benedick that if he truly loves her,
- Analyzes how claudio humiliates hero, but benedick refuses to let this stand when he learns of don john's plan to sabotage his marriage.
- Explains that benedick and beatrice's love is like fire because it can't be tamed or put out. even after confessing to each other, they both tried to douse their feelings and completely denied ever having loved the other.
1362 wordsRead More - Differences between Beatrice and Hero in Much Ado about Nothinganalytical essayDifferences between Beatrice and Hero in the early scenes of Shakespeare’s play ‘Much Ado about Nothing’
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes the similarities between beatrice and hero in shakespeare's play 'much ado about nothing'.
- Analyzes how shakespeare uses literary devices and techniques to present the characters of hero and beatrice in a way that lets the audience easily compare and contrast them.
- Analyzes how shakespeare's first words describing hero, ‘is she not a modest young lady’ announce her essential qualities of modesty and decorum.
- Analyzes how beatrice's vulnerability is an important point of comparison with hero, as she is also vulnerable.
- Analyzes how hero speaks only once in act 1 – in the presence of beatrice, her father, and the messenger, to explain her cousin's jibe.
- Analyzes how shakespeare uses an extended metaphor to portray beatrice's anti-matrimonial feelings in the play.
- Analyzes how shakespeare develops hero's character in act 3, in the absence of men. she is decisive in scene one and commands "good margaret, run thee to the parlour."
- Analyzes how shakespeare makes beatrice gullible when she overhears hero and ursula discussing benedick and be
- Analyzes how shakespeare reveals that beatrice is having premonitions, more development of her character.
- Analyzes how shakespeare developed contrasts between hero and beatrice in the way that their relationship with men is presented, particularly the men that they love.
- Analyzes how beatrice and hero are both wonderful and intriguing characters. they represent two very different views of society and what it was like to be a woman in those patriarchal times.
- Opines that beatrice is the more interesting character of the two women; she is more active and has a fuller character which lets you speculate about her whereas this isn’t possible with hero because her character is so bland.
1199 wordsRead More - Gender Roles in Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing"analytical essayIn conclusion, gender role in Elizabethan era is very complex with respect to women’s role. Men are the masters of the home and society; they preside over every aspect of life. They are however, expected to take care of their family and also be actively involved in politics, war, and they inherit their father’s properties. Women role varied a according to their social status. All women were raised to be subservient to men. Unlike upper class women, lower class women were denied any kind of education. And all women are expected to get married and bear children. The qualities Shakespeare gave Beatrice are very significant because it contrasts traditional Elizabethan theater. Gender role has evolved over time, especially women’s role and it will continue to evolve as long as there are women like Beatrice around.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how shakespeare's play much ado about nothing focuses on two pairs of lovers named claudio and hero who plan to conspire with don pedro to trick their friends beatrice and benedick to admit their love for each other.
- Explains that the elizabethan era, considered the golden age of english history, was during reign of queen elizabeth i, beginning from 1558 to 1603.
- Explains that women's roles during the elizabethan era were more complex than those of males.
- Explains that the complexity in female gender role is in the different social classes. the wealthy upper class or the nobility are the most propitious.
- Analyzes how elizabethan women took the masculine qualities of being courageous, witty, and confident in much ado about nothing. beatrice was fearless verbal warrior and benedick was her greatest challenger.
- Concludes that gender role in elizabethan era is complex with respect to women's role. men are the masters of the home and society; they preside over every aspect of life.
1497 wordsRead More - Honor in Much Ado About Nothinganalytical essayThroughout the history of the world, honor has been an important part of life. In literature, as well, honor plays an important role in many plots and the development of almost any character. Shakespeare’s play Much Ado About Nothing is no exception. In this comedy about love and marriage, honor is revealed as the primary reason for many of the actions taken by several different characters. When Claudio breaks off his wedding with Hero, he does it because he believes she is not chastised as she claims to be and in being such, she would dishonor him as well as her father if the marriage were to proceed as planned. The play is an accurate depiction of the honor code and the different standards for men and women of the time in regards to honor and chastity.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how honor plays an important role in many plots and the development of almost any character in shakespeare's play much ado about nothing. claudio breaks off his wedding with hero because he believes she is not chastised.
- Analyzes how shakespeare shows the level and type of honor expected of women of the time through the character of hero.
- Analyzes how a female of the time is looked down upon for giving herself up to he who is not her husband. claudio will no longer accept her as his wife because of her dishonor
- Analyzes how shakespeare uses both claudio and leonato to represent the males of the time and the honor code they were held to.
- Analyzes how a father at that time would wish to have no part of his daughter for committing such acts because he knows of the dishonorable reputation
- Explains that in shakespeare's play much ado about nothing, men and women were held to different standards and honored and dishonored for different reasons.
672 wordsRead More - Benedick’s False Love in Much Ado About Nothinganalytical essayMuch Ado About Nothing is one of William Shakespeare’s best comedies and love stories. What is not to like about a play that is hilarious, romantic, and has a happy ending? In this play the foremost and most intriguing character is Benedick, a man who is a devout bachelor and who does not believe he will ever find the perfect woman; --because perfect is exactly what he must have. This may seem to be a harsh and pessimistic outlook on life, but the way Shakespeare brings this character to life portrays Benedick as a funny and caring man who really is not that certain about what he wants for the future. Benedick’s counterpart in the play is Beatrice who is an independent woman with a quick tongue. Benedick and Beatrice despise and cannot stand each other because it is seemingly impossible for them to have a conversation without arguing and angering each other. The two of them provide some of the more amusing scenes of the play with their word play and mocking of each other. In reality though, they have much in common that they have yet to realize. Both of them despise marriage, are witty, and are each their own persons. These however are not the reasons why they come together. They are brought together by their respective companions who conspire to tell each of them that the one loves the other as the two misdirected lovers listen in. In his speech directly after this, Benedick is swayed to a life that he previously would have avoided at all costs. In hearing of Beatrice’s supposed affection he immediately changes his entire outlook on perpetual bachelorhood and pronounces a love that is not real or his own, but comes secondhand from trickery.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how much ado about nothing is one of william shakespeare's best comedies and love stories. benedick is a devout bachelor who doesn't believe he will ever find the perfect woman.
- Analyzes how benedick is persuaded by claudio, don pedro, and leonato's portrayal of beatrice as the most wonderful woman in messina.
- Analyzes how claudio, don pedro, and leonato discussed beatrice’s supposed qualities and benedick's faults. he believes that it is good for one to do something to change their fault.
- Analyzes how benedick rationalizes that his opinions on marriage have changed over time and with age as if this is a good enough excuse.
- Explains shakespeare, william; much ado about nothing; washington square press, new york, ny; new folger edition, may 1995.
- Analyzes how benedick's preposterousness is complete when he sees beatrice coming over to him.
1608 wordsRead More - Much Ado About Nothing: Beatrice, Portia and Marriageanalytical essayHero and Claudio represent the Elizabethan norm in marriage. Claudio is the shrewd, hardheaded fortune hunter and Hero is the modest maiden of conduct books and marriage manuals, a docile young woman. It is important to note that Claudio is more concerned with advancement in Don Pedro's army than he is with love. Therefore, Shakespeare illustrates to the reader through the near tragedy of mistaken identity that Claudio must learn that marriage is more than a business arrangement and become worthy of Hero's love and affection. Source: Ranald, Margaret Loftus. "As Marriage Binds, and Blood Breaks: English Marriage and Shakespeare". Shakespeare Quarterly. Vol 30, 1979: 68-81.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how shakespeare illustrates to the reader through the near tragedy of mistaken identity that claudio must learn that marriage is more than a business arrangement.
- Analyzes how the relationship illustrates the "cuckold" fear that is pertinent during shakespeare's time.
- Analyzes how beatrice and benedick make comments and jokes about marriage in much ado about nothing. feminist critics like sylvia townsend warner praise her for being "free and uninhibited."
- Compares the strong character of beatrice with portia in shakespeare's comic commonwealths. both women address the inequalities of 16th c. marriage and attack the patriarchal nature of marriage in society.
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