How does Shakespeare convey men and women's relationships and attitudes to love, sex and marriage in contemporary society in Act IV scene I of Much Ado About Nothing?
How does Shakespeare convey men and women's relationships and attitudes to love, sex and marriage in contemporary society in Act IV scene I of Much Ado About Nothing? Contemporary society in Shakespeare's time treated marriages between the wealthy and privileged as largely business transactions. It was very much a patriarchal society; women were very weak and powerless. Fathers used their daughters as assets to bargain with as long as they were virgins. If daughters happened not to be virgins they were seen as worthless and insignificant. They would dishonour their family and disgrace themselves. This was not just a question of abstract morality. Titles, wealth and therefore power were passed down through the pure bloodline. If the mother had not been a virgin on marriage then the identity of the father of the first child could be in doubt. Bastards could not inherit under the law and were not treated as equals. They were also seen as a threat to legitimate heirs. Shakespeare conveys this in his portrayal of Don John as scheming, jealous, cruel and cowardly. These attitudes however only applied to those of importance in society as we see from Shakespeare's portrayal of Margaret, Hero's servant. The fact that she was playing around and flirting with Borachio was behaviour that the audience of the time would have expected. She was never going to be the mother of an heir so
Shakespeare's 'Much AdoAbout Nothing' uses conventions of 'Noting' and develops character and plot. Comment on how important a Shakespearian theatre audience would find this aspect of the play.
Shakespeare's 'Much Ado About Nothing' uses conventions of 'Noting' and develops character and plot. Comment on how important a Shakespearian theatre audience would find this aspect of the play. Noting, or observing, is central to many of the ideas in 'Much Ado About Nothing'. The word nothing was pronounced as noting in Elizabethan times, and it seems reasonable to presume that the pun was intended by Shakespeare to signal the importance of observation, spying and eavesdropping in the play. As a plot device, these occurrences strengthen the action and create humour and tension. The risks of noting incorrectly are portrayed and this naturally links plots together, along with a second major theme, illusion and reality. These two themes could often be described as the same, such as at the masked ball. Plot development and comedy in 'Much Ado About Nothing' rely heavily on the use of noting. The play appears to have a simple plot; the romantic couple, Claudio and Hero, are denied marital joy by the evil Don John while the sub-plot, Beatrice's and Benedick's resisted but growing love, provides us with some humour until order and happiness are re-established in Messina. However, Shakespeare cleverly employs the many forms of noting (observation and misunderstanding) to move the dramatic action forward. The main plot and the sub-plots are tied together with this device. To
Why is Act V scene 4 such an important part of 'Much Ado About Nothing'?
Why is Act V scene 4 such an important part of 'Much Ado About Nothing'? 'Much Ado About Nothing' is rather similar to other Elizabethan comedies written by Shakespeare. Halfway through many things seem to be going wrong, but everything is sorted out in the end as Antonio shows when he comments, 'Well, I am glad that all things sort so well' (V.4, 7) 'Much Ado' explores the nature of true love and Act V scene 4 sees the marriage of two main characters - Hero, the only daughter of Signor Leonarto the governor of Messina, and Count Claudio of Florence, a companion of Don Pedro the Prince of Aragon. 'Give me your hand before this holy friar, I am your husband if you like of me' (V.4, 58-9) Hero was harshly accused of cheating on Claudio, the love of her life, and coldly handed back to her father. It was the outcome of a cruel plan devised by the bastard brother of Don Pedro, Don John. The plan involved Margaret, Hero's maid, being in her mistresses' window with a man, tricking Claudio and Don Pedro into believing that it was Hero and that she was just a common prostitute. When the Don John's plot is uncovered, Hero forgives Claudio for doubting her and recovers her reputation. 'One Hero dies defiled, but I do live, and surely as I live I am a maid.' (V.4, 63-4) The tale of Hero and Claudio and how a lover is deceived into believing that his beloved has been unfaithful to
Compare and contrast the romance of Hero and Claudio and Beatrice and Benedick.
Compare and contrast the romance of Hero and Claudio and Beatrice and Benedick. In the play Much 'Ado' about nothing (Ado meaning fuss), relationship is the key subject throughout the play. As a comedy it is known in Shakespeare's time to have misunderstandings, confusion and end in a wedding. Much Ado does the exact of the conventions of a comedy, full of mixed up events and confused identity. Shakespeare has used Much Ado to show two different presentations of love via Claudio and Hero, and Beatrice and Benedick. There is evidently a contrast between the love of Claudio and Hero and Beatrice and Benedick, as there is in their characteristics and attributes. Claudio and Hero's relationship being simply conventional and apparent where as Beatrice and Benedick's based on their wit and deeper feelings. Claudio himself being respected by Messina, a traditional solider and a character in which talks in blank verse show us as an audience his importance in the play. A perfect match for Claudio would therefore be a character such as Hero. As she herself is a character well respected, modest, virtuous and talks in blank verse. It is important that we remember that in Shakespearean time, individuals of the same status would wed. This is why we conclude that Claudio and Hero's love is somewhat conventional. Benedick too is valued, however in contrast to Claudio, is not customary
The critic A. D. Lang said of Claudio that "he behaves as a hateful young cub throughout". Evaluate the validity of this reading of Claudio, taking contexts in account. How do you interpret his character?
The critic A. D. Lang said of Claudio that "he behaves as a hateful young cub throughout". Evaluate the validity of this reading of Claudio, taking contexts in account. How do you interpret his character? 'The figure of a lamb the feats of a lion' is Claudio described by the messenger in Act I Scene I, being young is a key defence for why he provokes hate in the audience. He is not yet experienced in life as those older than he is. A lamb is young and a lion ferocious, if you combine them they are the dispositions of a 'young cub'. However the messenger is referring to Claudio at war whereas A. D. Lang refers to him being this way throughout. A. D. Lang also calls him as 'hateful'. Hateful in this sense does not mean Claudio is full of hate but he provokes hate in the audience. The first thing Claudio asks Benedick is if he noticed 'the daughter of Signior Leoanto?' this is a very respectable way to refer to Hero and appropriate because in context, a woman was her father's property until she was married. However, it could be looked upon in a different way Claudio might be concerned with position and her fathers' status rather than Hero. Although in context the upper class did marry upper classes and they were concerned with wealth and status and this was acceptable. Claudio did not have to get to know Hero; people in those days did get married without knowing each other.
Much Ado About Nothing - Which man would you prefer to marry? Benedick or Claudio? Consider the ways in which each is presented before coming to a decision.
Laura McPherson 11.4(7) Shakespeare Coursework - Much Ado About Nothing Which man would you prefer to marry? Benedick or Claudio? Consider the ways in which each is presented before coming to a decision. Benedick and Claudio are the main male characters in the play. They are very contrasting in their action, words and approaches to love, which is shown throughout the play. The first impressions we have of each are derived from their entrance and first words from Act1, Scene 1, when the soldiers have returned from war. Benedick shows he is a witty and somewhat cocky character from even his first line, in which he and Leanato are joking about the fact that Hero is Leanato's daughter. Leanato says 'Her mother hath many times told me so,' Benedick's reply being 'were you in any doubt, sir, that you asked her?' (1:1:79), showing his quick-witted and light-hearted nature. Claudio's first words however, speak of Hero, 'the daughter of signor Leanato' and he makes known to Benedick that he thinks she is a 'modest young lady' (1:2:119-121), meaning she is sweet and he likes her a lot. As the play continues we begin to establish more of the men's characters. The remainder of Act 1, Scene 1 shows Benedick's objections to love, for example his comment 'shall I never see a bachelor of three score again' (1:1:147) suggests that to him it seems all young men decide to get married
What have you learnt about attitudes in love and marriage in Shakespeare in your study of Much Ado About Nothing?
Q) What have you learnt about attitudes in love and marriage in Shakespeare in your study of Much Ado About Nothing? A) Much Ado About Nothing -was written in the time of Elizabethan England. In this century, it is historical knowledge that shows us that male status, honour and power ruled over femininity. Women were in a patriarchal world and dominated over. Men married women so they could own them or otherwise seen as prostitutes to be owned. In this play attitudes of the men towards marriage are much different to those of the women in the play. As this is a comedy Shakespeare uses jokes about marriage and love frequently. On one hand we see the conventional attitude of courtship in Hero and Claudio of Elizabethan times. On the other, we see the backward and controversial attitude of Benedick and Beatrice. It is the interaction of a serious plot and a comic one. Benedick and Beatrice joke more about marriage being for the "curst" and for the "cuckolds". Whilst Hero and Claudio try to obtain a normal relationship of the period - but ironically, theirs seems more "curst" than Beatrice's and Benedick's. This is evident towards the end of the play. Throughout the play from beginning to end the attitudes of love and courtship between the characters changes evidently with each act. In the first act we see the more social matters of friendship and marriage between the main
Consider the dramatic impact of Act Four, Scene One in 'Much Ado About Nothing', looking closely at what the characters do and say
Consider the dramatic impact of Act Four, Scene One in 'Much Ado About Nothing', looking closely at what the characters do and say At the beginning of Act Four, the wedding scene is about to take place. We, as Shakespeare's audience, are extremely apprehensive as to the movements of the characters at this point. We already know from the earlier scenes that Benedick and Beatrice have not met since their deceptions - and as a result of this, both think that the other is in love with them. We know that before this, the last time they spoke was at the masked ball. Since then, Beatrice has been sent to bid Benedick come in to dinner. Benedick, who strongly believes Beatrice loves him, misinterpreted her sharp words. We know also that Don John and Borachio's evil act has taken place. Don Pedro and Claudio wrongly think that Hero has been faithless to Claudio; yet in actual fact it was Margaret, Hero's gentlewoman, whom they saw at Hero's chamber window with Borachio. Claudio, naturally, is enraged. Hero and Margaret both know nothing of Don John's plan, and Margaret is unaware that she is being deceived. Hero, of course, has always remained true to Claudio. Benedick is oblivious to the fact that Claudio and Don Pedro, in the midst of their rage have vowed to publicly shame Hero for her infidelity in front of the whole congregation - "Where I should wed, there will I shame her."
Which of the two loves (Hero and Claudio, and Benedick and Beatrice) seems the most genuine. Much ado about nothing.
Which of the two loves(Hero and Claudio, and Benedick and Beatrice) seems the most genuine. Hero and Claudio represent an idealised love that was a very widespread image of love in the Elizabethan renaissance. With the introduction of Beatrice and Benedick, we see a very different picture- a love that thrives on conflict and tension. While Claudio says of Hero, "Can the world buy such a gem,¨ Benedick refers to Beatrice as "my dear lady disdain." While Claudio and Hero whisper sweet nothings into each other's ears, Beatrice and Benedick bicker incessantly. ("My cousin tells him in his ear that he is in her heart." to "if her breath were as terrible as her terminations, there were no living near her.") However, the play ultimately shows that Beatrice and Benedick's relationship is the more genuine. When early on in the play Claudio asks, "Hath Leonato any son my lord?¨ 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¨ he immediately delivers a speech about how much he loves her, "How fair young Hero is¨. This speech seems to be sincere but is he 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
Much Ado About Nothing, Act 2 Scene 1 Analysis
Much Ado About Nothing Analysis Act 2 Scene i This long scene resolves the first of the play's important questions: whether Claudio will receive Hero's consent to love and marry her. When the two lovers are finally brought together, Claudio is too overwhelmed with joy to profess his love in elevated language, saying to Hero simply, "Silence is the perfectest herald of joy. I were but little happy if I could say how much" (II.i.267-268). While Claudio can find few words to express his joy, Hero can find none. Indeed, it is Beatrice who formalizes Hero's return of Claudio's love, commenting to Claudio, "My cousin [Hero] tells him [Claudio] in his ear that he is in her heart" (II.i.275-276). We never hear Hero's acceptance of Claudio, but nonetheless we know what occurs. These two quiet characters-Claudio and Hero-seem well matched, and Claudio's addressing of Beatrice as "cousin" confirms that he will soon marry into her family (II.i.277). Nonetheless, a troubling element of Claudio's character comes to light in this scene. Don John's attempt to thwart the match has come to nothing; although he does manage to trick Claudio into believing that Don Pedro has betrayed him and is going to marry Hero himself, Claudio learns the truth before anything bad can happen. But here we see that Claudio is prone to making rash decisions. He is very quick to believe that his friend has
