In the play, Much Ado About Nothing, the traditional role of the Elizabethan female is clearly defined by Hero, and then thrown out by Beatrice. Hero plays the submissive, weak victim whose place in society and life is determined by the affections of Claudio. On the other hand, Beatrice is somewhere between completely dependent on male recognition and completely ignorant of it. Beatrice is often mocked throughout the play for her complete denial of relationships with men even by her friends Don Pedro and Hero. Although she wholeheartedly denies loving a man, or having the desire to be a wife, the reader discovers that she does in fact favor Bene*censored*, and their childish skirmish of wits is merely a front which hides their affection for one another.
             Beatrice is strong and independent, and therefore does not feel that she needs to have her value as a person be based on whether or not she wins the affection of a man. She, however, respects the ideals of her cousin, Hero, who is made physically ill by the rejection of a man (Claudio). Hero does not share the same virtuous understanding and respect of Beatrice's independence. Therefore, Hero attempts to make Beatrice happy by setting up Beatrice and Bene*censored* to fall in love. Even though it be by trickery, Beatrice succombs to the traditional ways and falls in love with Bene*censored*. She does not, however, give up her independence to be a pawn in the hands of Bene*censored*.
             The contrasting values of Hero and Beatrice not only make for an interesting story, but they give the reader an idea of how Shakespeare, and the people in the Elizabethan era viewed women and their place in society.
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