Much Ado About Nothing Women
During the time that Shakespeare wrote Much Ado about Nothing, women were subservient to men. The social expectations and the overall role of women were different than they are now. Shakespeare uses characters and dialogue to provide insight into his views about gender roles in this era and how they should be challenged. Based on the way Shakespeare writes the different qualities and characteristics of each of his characters he believes in a change in the expectations of women.
Hero’s character in Much Ado about Nothing is meant to explain the expectations of women. She is the traditional, ideal women of this time. She is polite, obedient, and submissive. Through the qualities of Hero, created by Shakespeare, the overall expectations are set. …show more content…
The expectations are set by men because in this era men were the dominant sex. Men believe they should speak for women because they are unable to defend themselves or men speaking about women and objectifying them. Or men basing their entire feelings for a woman based on just a woman’s looks. “One woman is fair, yet I am well; another is wise, yet I am well; another virtuous, yet I am well; but till all graces be in one woman, one woman shall not come in my grace. Rich she shall be, that's certain; wise, or I'll none; virtuous, or I'll never cheapen her; fair, or I'll never look on her.” (Act 2 Scene 3) This Benedick’s list of qualities of his dream girl, he says he cannot commit to any woman who isn’t perfectly on par with his list. The men in Much Ado about Nothing sit around and discuss a woman's worthiness. They believe women have no voice and opinion and should be whatever man wants them to be. Earlier in the play when Claudio was attempting to court Hero through another man, Don Pedro said this “'Twas the boy that stole your meat” (Act 2 Scene 1), referring to Hero. Calling her meat, objectifying her, pretty much calling her worthless. This reveals what men think of women, which isn’t much. Through the qualities of the men in this play, created by Shakespeare, the true feelings of the men are
Hero’s character in Much Ado about Nothing is meant to explain the expectations of women. She is the traditional, ideal women of this time. She is polite, obedient, and submissive. Through the qualities of Hero, created by Shakespeare, the overall expectations are set. …show more content…
The expectations are set by men because in this era men were the dominant sex. Men believe they should speak for women because they are unable to defend themselves or men speaking about women and objectifying them. Or men basing their entire feelings for a woman based on just a woman’s looks. “One woman is fair, yet I am well; another is wise, yet I am well; another virtuous, yet I am well; but till all graces be in one woman, one woman shall not come in my grace. Rich she shall be, that's certain; wise, or I'll none; virtuous, or I'll never cheapen her; fair, or I'll never look on her.” (Act 2 Scene 3) This Benedick’s list of qualities of his dream girl, he says he cannot commit to any woman who isn’t perfectly on par with his list. The men in Much Ado about Nothing sit around and discuss a woman's worthiness. They believe women have no voice and opinion and should be whatever man wants them to be. Earlier in the play when Claudio was attempting to court Hero through another man, Don Pedro said this “'Twas the boy that stole your meat” (Act 2 Scene 1), referring to Hero. Calling her meat, objectifying her, pretty much calling her worthless. This reveals what men think of women, which isn’t much. Through the qualities of the men in this play, created by Shakespeare, the true feelings of the men are