How Does Shakespeare present the relationship between men and women in his play 'Much Ado About Nothing' and how might a modern audience respond to these relationships?

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Harriet Nash L6MF

December 2004

How Does Shakespeare present the relationship between men and women in his play ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ and how might a modern audience respond to these relationships?

‘Much Ado About Nothing,’ a comedy by William Shakespeare was first published in 1600 although it was believed to be written in 1598.  The play is set within Messina, a place riddled with gossip in a strongly patriarchal society.  During the play there are two main relationships which are focused on: Hero and Claudio’s traditional relationship and Benedick and Beatrice’s playful banter which surprisingly develops into a loving and genuine relationship.  There are various elements of the play which a contemporary audience would definitely be able to relate to in some ways, while parts of the play may seem archaic.  For example, references to classical illusions, usually made by Benedick to illustrate his good breeding would have meaning to a Shakespearean audience.  Modern audiences may also find Hero and Claudio’s relationship hard to identify with due to the pace at which they fall in love and they may question how genuine their relationship is.

One of the first characters the audience is introduced to in the play is Beatrice, niece to Leonato.  Beatrice is not representative of a typical Shakespearean woman although she may well fit into the stereotype of being a shrew due to her outspoken nature and mocking of Benedick.  Her sarcastic sense of humour towards Benedick can first be observed during her interruption of Leonato at the beginning of the play in which she inquires after “Signior Mountanto” implying that Benedick is an egotistical exhibitionist.  Beatrice continues her scornful mocking of Benedick, referring to him as a “fool” and insulting his ability as a good soldier by questioning “how many” he has “killed” at war.  It soon becomes evident that Beatrice takes her insults too far as Leonato stops her and says that she criticizes Benedick “too much.”  A contemporary audience may definitely be able to understand Beatrice’s blunt and direct nature, and interpret her insults as a secret admiration for Benedick and an illustration of her independence.  Yet some members of Shakespearean audiences may have seen her behaviour abnormal for a woman.  This may be because of her confidence and dominance which seem out of place within patriarchal Messina.

Soon after Beatrice is introduced for the first time, Benedick is introduced to the play in a good natured battle of wills with Beatrice.  Similarly to Beatrice, Benedick insults Beatrice and personification is used as he calls Beatrice “Lady Disdain,” showing a slight arrogance to his character.  Benedick’s arrogant behaviour is illustrated again by Shakespeare in a conversation with his friends, Claudio and Don Pedro.  Claudio asks Benedick’s opinion on Hero, Beatrice’s cousin who he is falling in love with, and Benedick shows his characteristically scornful and dismissive nature as he replies he “noted her not,” but he “looked at her.”  All his initial statements are typical of a misogynist and Benedick mocks the institution of marriage by asking Claudio if he has any “intent to turn husband,” Shakespeare also uses euphuism as Benedick exaggeratedly says that “fire cannot melt” his heart out of him. He voices his scorn by saying he will never be cuckolded by any woman and will “live a bachelor,” but perhaps he “doth protest too much”?  Overall Benedick’s sharp tongue and outspoken nature compares dramatically with Beatrice’s and shows that although both characters are individuals, they both share a similar sense of humour and attitude to each other.  A modern audience may observe Benedick as mocking and criticize his misogynistic attitude and opinion of Hero’s appearance. However, a Shakespearean audience may not have been as concerned with this due to the inferiority of women in those times compared to men.

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Both Benedick and Beatrice prove themselves to be independent individuals who do not depend on love or marriage to progress with life, although both characters are easily manipulated into falling in love.  This is due to the clever eavesdropping plots formulated by Don Pedro, proving their mockery of relationships and dislike of each other to simply be a façade.  After being deceived, Benedick admits Beatrice is “a fair lady” and that when he said he would “die a bachelor” he simply “did not think” he would “live till” he “were married”.  Shakespeare also mirrors Benedick’s soliloquy in Beatrice’s deception ...

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