Characterization of Hero in "Much Ado About Nothing".
Characterization of Hero in Much Ado About Nothing Hero and Claudio are the conventional, culturally acceptable lovers…Unlike Beatrice and Benedick (the outspoken, unconventional lovers). Hero has a very dramatic role in this play. Although she seldom speaks, Hero is the source of much commotion, because Don John tries to frame her and her fiancé Claudio. He hatches a plot to convince Claudio, that Hero is unchaste. Because of that, the innocent Hero is accused at her wedding day. She gets so nervous and faints. Hero is declared dead and can
only awake when her innocence is proven. Everything turns out good at the end, and they get married. She is a beautiful (Act 1 Scene 1,171), young woman (Act 1 Scene 1,278), who is dark-haired (Act 1 Scene 1,157), small (Act 1 Scene 1,157), and described as a "jewel" (Act 1 Scene 1,165), "a modest young lady" (Act 1 Scene 1,150), "the sweetest lady" (Act 1 Scene 1,171) by Claudio. She is friendly and well-behaved (Act 3 Scene 4,26) , and when she speaks she is mostly very factual and enlightening (Act 1 Scene 1,33). But she can also be ...
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only awake when her innocence is proven. Everything turns out good at the end, and they get married. She is a beautiful (Act 1 Scene 1,171), young woman (Act 1 Scene 1,278), who is dark-haired (Act 1 Scene 1,157), small (Act 1 Scene 1,157), and described as a "jewel" (Act 1 Scene 1,165), "a modest young lady" (Act 1 Scene 1,150), "the sweetest lady" (Act 1 Scene 1,171) by Claudio. She is friendly and well-behaved (Act 3 Scene 4,26) , and when she speaks she is mostly very factual and enlightening (Act 1 Scene 1,33). But she can also be very cheeky (Act 2 Scene 1,79-90) Hero knows what she wants and does not let herself be influenced by others (Act 3 Scene 4,6-11). She also knows exactly what she is talking about and is able to express herself very correctly in a calm way (Act 4 Scene 1,76-80). She is very timid (Act 4 Scene 1), because when Hero is accused of being unfaithful, she is not able to prove her innocence, turns red in the face (Act 4 Scene 1,41) and just talks when she is asked. Before the wedding she is already quite nervous (Act 3 Scene 4,23). She never throws a temper and is more docile, which probably makes it hard for Hero to enforce obedience. In Act 3 Scene 1, Hero also proves to be clever and witty, she has thought out a fabulous plan to trick Beatrice. Also in this act she is very smart in what she says, to make Beatrice interested and to convince her of Benedick's love. In comparison to Beatrice, Hero plays an unspectacular role. She's the weaker one, the small, pretty, silent girl with the tragic fate, probably not the favorite of the audience/reader. Hero is an amiable person. Behaves like a normal woman maybe that makes her not interesting. The relationship between Hero and Claudio is unusual because they never really talk to each other, just at the wedding day, where Claudio accuses Hero (Act 4 Scene 1) and in (Act 2 Scene 1,285) / (Act 2 Scene 1,292 Beatrice: "...My cousin tells him in his ear that he is in her heart."). Therefore it is not really sure if Hero (or Claudio) loved one another. She had barely met Claudio before she fell in love with him and had decided to get married to him. She quickly forgives Claudio (Hero: "and when I liv'd, I was your other wife; and when you lov'd, you where my other husband." , (Act 5 Scene 4,60))Customs and values are important to her. Her father was always very proud of her. He did a good job raising Hero to a worthy lady (Act 1 Scene 1,209) that obeys him. Beatrice: "Yes, faith, it is my cousin's duty to make curtsy and say 'Father, as it please you.'.")
