In Shakespeare’s day women’s soul purpose was to bear children or in other words, produce an heir for their husband.
Women were trophies. They were only valuable if they were maids. If it was discovered they were not maids then they were no longer desirable and no one would want to marry them. They didn’t want ‘soiled goods’.
This attitude is shown in “Much Ado About Nothing” in the scene where Claudio and Hero are about to be wed. Unknown to Hero, Don John has spoken to Claudio and told him he has seen Hero with another man. Claudio thinks Hero is no longer a maid.
“Claudio: Sweet Prince, you learn me noble thankfulness.
There Leonarto, take her back again,
Give not this rotten orange to your friend-
She’s but the sign and semblance of her honour.
Behold how like a maid she blushes here!
O what authority and show of truth
Can cunning sin cover itself withal!
Comes not that blood as modest evidence
To witness simple virtue? Would you not swear,
All you that see her, that she were a maid
By these exterior shows? But she is none;
She knows the heat of a luxurious bed.
Her blush is guiltiness, not modesty.
Leonarto: What do you mean my lord?
Claudio: Not to be married,
Not to knit my soul to an approved wanton.”
In this speech, Claudio openly accuses Hero of something he has no real proof of. In Shakespearian times women having sex before marriage was a very serious accusation. If a woman had sexual intercourse before marriage then she was worthless and had brought shame on the family. In this scene, Claudio publicly shames Hero. He accuses her of being unfaithful and worthless. If this had happened in modern days, the woman would be more likely to have a go at the man however in the play all Hero does is faints.
Later on in the play when Hero ‘comes back to life’ Claudio does not really apologise but Hero forgives him instantly. In Shakespeare’s plays, Love, Hate and forgiveness were instant. The people in the plays fell in love as soon as they saw each other.
In Shakespearian times, social status was very important. People were expected to marry some one of the same social status as themselves. Everyone knew their place and respected people of a higher social status than themselves.
A good example of a ‘lower’ person is Dogberry. Whenever he speaks to someone he calls them ‘Sir’ or ‘Lord’.
“ Dogberry: …Well, for your favour Sir, why, God give thanks…”
This is because he is of a lower social status than most other characters in the play.
In Shakespeare’s day this play was seen as a comedy but nowadays it is not seen as funny any more. This is because of the change in social attitudes. Many of the jokes in the play are no longer politically correct and are not seen as jokes.
