Much Ado About Women
Shakespeare's Much Ado about Nothing presents feminism, not in its own conventional sense, but as a way of describing the view of life through female eyes. The outlets used to show examples of this avant-garde usage of the expression come in the form of two cousins with very different yet analogous outlooks on life. Hero and Beatrice, each carry themselves in distinctive fashions, and handle situations dissimilarly. By placing these two characters in circumstances that, although vastly comparable, were modified to fit the character type, Shakespeare was able to portray feminism as one entity in possession of many faces which are all altered copies of each other. Although often appearing to be meek and shy, Hero the daughter of Leonato who is the governor of Missina, possesses a hidden strength, beneath her innate personality, that cannot be gleaned at first. Hero is pretty, charming and graceful and as she is introverted by nature, silence is among her most distinguishable attributes. Her character stands out as being reticent, passive, submissive, and practically devoid of self- will. An example of such is shown when her father asks her whether she would consent to Don Pedro's proposal and she answers, "Father, as it please
She questions the conventional role played by women, which is to be taken for granted by men. Once she overhears Hero describing that Benedick is in love with her, Beatrice opens herself to the sensitivities and weaknesses of love. She denies her affection right from the start of the play; however, it is evident even then (her interest in his performance in the battle) though she does not realize it. Beatrice at is nearly the exact opposite of her cousin. She refuses to marry because she has not discovered the perfect, equal partner and because she is unwilling to eschew her liberty and submit to the will of a controlling husband and cannot bear any injustice being done to her innocent and apparently helpless cousin. Where Hero is polite, quite, respectful and gentle, Beatrice is feisty, cynical, witty, and sharp; characteristics which she often displays while "battling Benedick during their "Merry War of Wit", "I wonder that you still be talking Senior Benedick, no one marks you. Although she appears hardened and sharp, Beatrice is really vulnerable. Disdain and scorn ride sparkling in her eyes, misprising what they look on; and her wit values itself so highly that to her all matter else seem weak. " Yet another example of Hero's lack of assertiveness is shown when she is victimized in the play, the day of her wedding, by an accusation of being a harlot without ever expressing emotions of rage or even appearing indignant at the injustices heaped upon her person, only displaying "maidenly" distress, "[Hero swoons]" (IV,i,107).
Common topics in this essay:
Senior Benedick,
Beatrice Disdain,
Hero Beatrice,
Don Pedro's,
Shakespeare's Ado,
Ursula Hero,
Don Pedro,
War Wit,
character stands,
cousin hero,
hidden strength,
fall love,
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Acceptance Essays
