The reasons for the difference in these relationships could perhaps stem from the roles that the women take on, Hero the conventional woman obeys her father and fiancé, the complete opposite is Beatrice who has neither of these, this was rather uncommon in this patriarchal society. Yet during the time in which this play was written, there was a female monarch on the throne. Queen Elizabeth challenged male superiority in taking on the identity of a man as ruler of the country. Having a Queen rather than a traditional King is the beginning of the breaking down of gender ideologies present since the beginning of time. It was always believed that the natural social order was God as the highest, King in second place, the clergy in third, then the nobles, and finally the peasants at the bottom. In this hierarchy there is no mention of women or a Queen, meaning that Queen Elizabeth was creating a subversion of social order. The play ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ was introducing and establishing this new rank in society, and it was very effective to do so through a comedy, because this way of explaining anxieties and roles isn’t too harsh for the audience to take on board due to their laughter diffusing the seriousness of the situation.
The romance between Hero and Claudio is based at a distance. He worships her and is astonished with her beauty. His love for her is very shallow because he does not know her as a person, he even woos her by proxy as he does not know how to approach her himself. The betrothal is very formal, and he is not exactly very upset when he believed that he had just lost his bride to be, after Don John’s plan worked into tricking that Don Pedro was wooing her for himself. However when the truth comes out the wedding day is set and the planning begins, this clearly shows how they conform to conventions of courtly love in which they were expected to carry out. For them marriage is inevitable, it is the ultimatum that they are facing, as there is nothing left for them to achieve in society except for find a spouse, as this is what was expected of you.
Beatrice and Benedick on the other hand are seemingly more ‘modern’. They challenge traditional beliefs about love and marriage and both begin the play equally matched in their opinions that it is a waste of time, and that neither could find a partner that is worthy. When these two do finally start a relationship, the way that they go about it doesn’t conform to the methods of love, commitment, and social ideals enacted by Messina as a society. A perfect example of Beatrice’s rebellion to this culture is when she refuses Don Pedro’s marriage proposal “No, my lord, unless I might have another/ for working-days.”
The character of Hero is very submissive and dutiful. She appears to be happy in her role as a compliant daughter who follows the rules of society closely, however when she is more closely inspected there are things about her that would not be noticed at just a glance. For example, a contemporary audience would think nothing of the way that Hero behaves because to them it would have been perfectly normal, however a modern audience would sympathise with her as she is never allowed to make her own choices, and “Her answers are not hers to give”1 Although Leonato is very vindictive over his only child “Daughter, remember what I told you. If the Prince do/ solicit you in that kind, you know your answer.” (2:1:59) surely she would stand up for herself if she was truly unhappy? She has had the influence of Beatrice all this time, and can see what it is like to speak aloud ones opinions yet never chooses to do so. Hero reveals in the gulling of Beatrice that she is very content with her life and even suggests that she prefers it to Beatrice’
“All matter else seems weak.She cannot love,
Nor take no shape nor project of affection,
She is so self endeared”
(3:1:54-56)
Hero also reveals that although she doesn’t speak often, but when she does she shows that she has the ability to talk dramatically. However, during the gulling of Beatrice her speech was so greatly exaggerated and the metaphors she was using reached the point where she was making slight mistakes in her use of words, this shows that she is perfectly happy in remaining her usual quiet self for she has no wish to use elaborate language.
The attraction between Hero and Claudio is certainly one of convenience. He did not know Hero’s personality at all before he designed upon marrying her, and her attraction towards him is based entirely upon his good looks. These two represent the exact image of idealised love that was a very widespread in the Elizabethan renaissance, although in our society would be deemed ridiculous. When early on in the play Claudio asks, “Hath Leonato any son my lord?” (1:1:265) This is one of the first questions Claudio asks about Hero. This would suggest that he is finding out whether she will inherit all of Leonato’s wealth before he finally decides that he loves Hero. When Don Pedro replies, “no child but Hero; she’s his only heir” (1:1:267) he immediately presents a speech about how much he loves her. This speech seems to be sincere but it is possible that he is simply being shallow. The fact that Claudio says he is in love with Hero having only known her well for a few days raises the question as to how sincere Claudio really is. However, ‘love at first sight’ was very popular in Shakespeare’s day so it is very possible that he isn’t just interested in her for her money and pretty face.
Another aspect of the play that highlights the artificiality and idealism of their love is the way that they speak in verse to each other and in each others presence. Benedick’s charater recognises the change in Claudio as well as the audience and points it out:
“I have known when there was no music with
him but the drum and the fife, and now had he
rather hear the tabor and the pipe. I have known
when he would have walked ten mile afoot to see a
good armour, and now will he lie ten nights awake
carving the fashion of a new doublet. He was wont to
speak plain and to the purpose, like an honest man
and a soldier, and now is he turned orthography,
his words into a fantastical banquet,”
(2:3:13-21)
Conclusion: Much Ado About Nothing is a comedy of intrigue. It involves suspense, question and has a detective story element. Within the comedy of intrigue, there is social comedy involving Beatrice and Benedick. Through this couple, and Claudio and Hero, the play explores the way people interact with each other. Shakespeare shows that love can be very logical but also very passionate. Claudio and Hero have a love that is soft, delicate and logical. Beatrice and Benedick on the other hand, are very passionately in love with each other and show this by quarreling constantly. The way in which a contemporary audience would interpret this is far different to that interpretation of modern critiscism. Gender roles in society have been so heavily redefined not only for women but for men too, e.g. women now have the right to vote, and men not have the right to paid paternity leave from work. To an Elzabethan audience, the relationships in this play, comically show and help them to understand slight changes within their own civilization, such as having a female monarch in such a patriarchal society. However modern critics, would especially focus on Beatrice, and her quality of being ahead of her time in terms of feminisim and equal rights. QUOTES
1 Much Ado About Nothing, Penguin Critical Studies, Roger Sales, London 1987, pg 83
