Compare the Representation of Women in Hamlet (primary text) and Much Ado About Nothing (secondary text)
Compare the Representation of Women in Hamlet (primary text) and Much Ado About Nothing (secondary text) Women of Shakespeare's time were regarded to be possessions of men and as such were conditioned to be submissive. This would have influenced, in my judgment, how Shakespeare created the female characters in Hamlet. Furthermore, in the essay "The Warrant of Womanhood, Shakespeare and Feminist Criticism", Ann Thompson points out that male characters in Hamlet have a limited perception of the females. Shakespeare, according to Ann Thompson, goes as far as to let the audience know that he intended for the male character to misunderstand the female, therefore the male characters are often very wrong about the females in the play. The men completely misread the women and in Ophelia and Gertrude's situation, the consequences are very tragic. In order to address this issue, it is necessary to explore the characters of Gertrude and Ophelia in Hamlet and the characters of Hero and Beatrice in Much Ado about Nothing, and in addition, how they are treated by other characters. This will then enable me to pass my own judgement, as to how the women are represented in the two plays Hamlet and Much Ado about Nothing. Shakespeare's Division of Experience by Marilyn French describes and examines gender roles in a way which is applicable to literature. This provides the theoretical
Through comparing the relationship of Claudio and Hero with that of Beatrice and Benedick we understand how differences in experience, maturity and conformity can seriously affect a relationship
BATTLE OF THE SEXES IN SHAKESPEARE’S “MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING” It is fascinating that a dramatic narrative can create such a strong representation of a person through words alone, determining their social class, their gender, their relationships and even their intelligence. ““Much Ado About Nothing”” by the respected dramatist William Shakespeare explores the shallowness, the naivety and the innocence of human beings through the characters of Hero and Claudio, the two protagonists who dominate our generation today. However through the seemingly minor characters of Don John and Don Pedro, a contrasting analysis may be made of how someone’s actions can affect others and through comparing the relationship of Claudio and Hero with that of Beatrice and Benedick we understand how differences in experience, maturity and conformity can seriously affect a relationship. Count Claudio, the leading male in ““Much Ado About Nothing”” is an impulsive, handsome, young man, who initially gives us the impression that he will make the ideal husband. However we soon learn that in that traditional, militaristic ideology of feudal aristocracy, male comradeship is much more important than really loving a female. Claudio is insecure and wanting as a lover, forcing us to question whether underneath his flawless brilliance there really is the heroic soldier that we hear about
Discuss in detail Shakespeare's presentation of women in Much Ado About Nothing
Discuss in detail Shakespeare's presentation of women in Much Ado About Nothing The role of women in the 1600's was to be submissive, passive, to obey men and to be seen rather than heard; as is depicted in the female characters in many of Shakespeare's plays such as Juliet in Romeo and Juliet and Queen Gertrude in Hamlet. However, the characters in Shakespeare's plays are predominantly male, they include very few female characters and Much Ado About Nothing is no exception. Each of the female characters in this play represents a different role of a 16th century woman. The reason for the relatively small number of female character's in Shakespeare's plays is for both practicality, as all female roles in Shakespeare's plays were performed by men, but can also be seen as a reference to women's relatively insignificant status in society. A woman's virginity and chastity were what her reputation was solely based on. Her status was gained by marriage and women in this time were raised to believe they were inferior to men, this status is reflected in the character of Hero. Shakespeare seems to portray the conventional role of a Shakespearean woman through Hero. Her silent and submissive nature is what shows her weakness to being controlled by other characters. This is predominantly men; however, Beatrice also speaks over Hero, challenging the male chauvinistic stereotype by
The dramatic importance of Benedick
What is the dramatic importance of Benedick in Much Ado about Nothing? This essay will explore the presentation of Benedick in light of the developing relationship between Beatrice and Benedick. It is crucial to explore the importance of Benedick alongside Beatrice as they are the characters who Shakespeare uses to draw out humour and sympathy through the theme of love. From the moment Shakespeare introduces us to Benedick, the audience is immediately amused. His quick wit when he enters the scene and makes the joke about Hero; 'If Signor Leonato be the father she would not have his head for all Messina', instantly enlivens the audience and when he and Beatrice meet, the 'merry war' between them creates a jovial and humorous atmosphere. Despite their determination to conceal their true feelings for each other; 'Is it possible Disdain should die, while she hath such meet food to feed as Signor Benedick?' Shakespeare indicates to us that Beatrice's language is infact ambiguous, the word 'meet' also has sexual connations as it fits in with the pun 'meat' and 'mate'. The ambiguity in Beatrice's language indicates us that Beatrice has deeper feelings for Benedick; her insults may appear to be harsh, but underneath her rebellion there are emotions which she tries to mask. Shakespeare hints to us that Benedick is the perfect match for Beatrice not only because they are similar in
Much_Ado_About_Coursework-1.doc
An exploration of the nature of the relationship between Beatrice and Benedick and what it contributes to Much Ado About Nothing * * * The relationship between Beatrice and Benedick is a major contributor to several key oppositional themes in Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing. It echoes themes of the difference between appearance and reality, love and hate, men and women, and deception and misunderstanding. In addition to this, their relationship contributes to the play's theme of double meanings, or multiple layers of meaning. It also provides humour and interest throughout the play, giving a secure background against which the gradually rising drama, the climax, and the resolution of the Hero-and-Claudio plot is played out. Beatrice and Benedick are at first presented as being in a constant "merry war" with each other - although in fact it is more Beatrice attacking Benedick than the two attacking each other. Indeed, the very first thing she says to Benedick is a provocative comment that "nobody marks" him. This is why Shakespeare quickly establishes her in Act 1 scene I of the play as a woman defiant against the contemporary convention of women being meek, submissive and modest. Hero's adherence to this convention is emphasised by the contrast of her and Beatrice. Not only does this stark contrast exaggerate Hero's character, it also amplifies that of Beatrice -
"Much Ado About Nothing"
"Much Ado About Nothing" AS English Literature Coursework * Extract from Act 2 Scene 1 * Line Antonio: Well, niece I trust you'll be ruled 43 by your father. 44 Beatrice: Yes faith, it is my cousin's duty to make 45 curtsy, and say, father as it please you. 46 Does this extract reflect Shakespeare's presentation of women in the play, and what is your response to this presentation 400 years later? Shakespeare's presentation of the main female characters in "Much Ado About Nothing" is insightfully conveyed in Act 2, scene 1. "Well niece, I trust you'll be ruled by your father". The dominant nature of the male characters in the play is expressed with reference to being "ruled", which suggests the oppression of women in Elizabethan society. In the context of the quotation, this implication of patriarchy is in regards to the act of marriage. However, deeper meaning may be established in assuming this ascendancy in terms of all aspects of an Elizabethan woman's life. To a modern audience, such patriarchy would seem irrational and unacceptable. However, the context in terms of time period to which this play was written must be considered. With reference to the use of the word "father", it may be construed that father figures determined the decisions of Elizabethan women
Explore to what extent, if any, Shakespeare presents Claudio to be an admirable character in 'Much Ado about Nothing'
Explore to what extent, if any, Shakespeare presents Claudio to be an admirable character in 'Much Ado about Nothing' The first the audience hear of the character of Claudio in 'Much Ado about Nothing' is from other characters discussing his heroic feats during war. Shakespeare introduces Claudio, not through his own presence and actions, but through others' opinions of him. Don Pedro clearly thinks Claudio is an admirable character - approving of his service during the war against Don John - describing him as 'doing in the figure of a lamb the feats of a lion'. During Claudio's confession of his love for Hero, the prince describes Hero as 'worthy' of Claudio's love, showing he holds Claudio in high regard, Shakespeare repeats this word six lines later to place emphasis on Don Pedro's opinion. Due to Borachio and Don Johns' attempt to ruin the future wedding, Claudio believes that Don Pedro is in love with Hero and has betrayed him. Upon realising his friend is acting strangely, Don Pedro shows concern by asking, 'wherefore art thou sad?' This concern implies that he cares for Claudio. The way in which he selflessly woos Hero for him further emphasises Don Pedro's care for his friend's wellbeing. He tells Claudio that, 'as I wooed for thee to obtain her, I will join with thee to disgrace her'. This shows that the prince's act as a matchmaker between Claudio and Hero was not
What do we learn about the society of Messina in the play 'Much Ado About Nothing'?
What do we learn about the society of Messina in the play 'Much Ado About Nothing'? We define society as somewhere where we live, our surroundings, something in which we live, or as the oxford dictionary would say A group of humans broadly distinguished from other groups by mutual interests, participation in characteristic relationships, shared institutions, and a common culture. There are many things that play a part in our society, such as education and leisure pursuits, and this is no different to the Elizabethan times and Messina. Messina is the town in which the play 'Much Ado About Nothing' is set. There are many different points in the play that tell us of the many different parts of society in Messina and what the town is like as a whole. However it strikes me as rather odd as to why Shakespeare set this play in a town many people at the time would not have known about. He could have just as easily set it in the hustle and bustle of London, but instead chose Messina. For one Shakespeare chose Messina because of the ease he could use 'noting'. He could include it in his play and the audience would know it suited Messina, this is because like London, Messina is a very busy town, and in towns like that news spreads fast, another reason is that because many in Messina are not as well off as others, people will want to know things that they can use against
A Marxist Study of Much Ado About Nothing. The ideology perpetuated in Much Ado About Nothing revolves around, centrally, ensuring the needs and insecurities of the aristocratic the need for a patriarchal power, the need to reject, stigmatize and dom
A Marxist study of Much Ado About Nothing Using the Marxist approach to one of Shakespeare's comedies, Much Ado About Nothing, this essay deals with the unconscious of the text in order to reveal the ideology of the text (as buried in what is not said) so as to discover the hegemony behind the text. The ideology perpetuated in Much Ado About Nothing revolves around, centrally, ensuring the needs and insecurities of the aristocratic - the need for a patriarchal power, the need to reject, stigmatize and dominate the lower class and women. According to Elliot Krieger in A Marxist Study of Shakespeare's Comedies, there is a "primary world" and a "second world" in each of Shakespeare's comedies. The second world is a location towards which "the characters, hence the action, move" (1). The primary world is the actual location which the characters originally inhabit, while the second world is where the characters escape to. This second world is an alternative to the primary world, a different perspective for the characters to see the objective reality. It represents a state of mind which "shelters or separates them" in the primary world as the protagonists "circumscribe all of objective reality with their subjectivity" (3). While the protagonists "experience the second world as a retreat, withdrawal, or replacement" releasing their private fancy in this second world, others
Beatrice says of herself that she was born to speak all mirth and no matter. To what extent do you consider this to be a fair summary of the way Shakespeare presents her character in Much Ado About Nothing?
Beatrice says of herself that she was "born to speak all mirth and no matter." To what extent do you consider this to be a fair summary of the way Shakespeare presents her character in Much Ado About Nothing? Many would believe this to be a understated summary of the way Shakespeare presents her character in Much Ado About Nothing because Beatrice is not just a humorous character but a strong role model for both Shakespeare's time and for a modern audience defying social expectations and being equal to her male counter parts, she is the heroin of the play and even though speaking "all mirth" which would probably be expected from a lead Shakespeare role, however she is much more that that. Beatrice has the most depth to her character in comparison to other characters than simply humour. Thus the statement not doing Beatrice justice as she has the most positive influence over the other characters. To an Elizabethan audience the story line of Hero and Claudio would be familiar because of the traditional views held by their characters, and so the audience would have expected Hero to be the romantic lead of the play. However, Beatrice's 'emotional gravity,'¹ eventually leads the importance of her role to go beyond that of Hero's, whilst still maintaining the humorous aspect essential to her character. It would seem definite that Shakespeare is making a criticism of the