About the assignment:
Shakespeare essays increasingly use the part that gender plays in Shakespeare’s comedies to examine the way that Shakespeare portrays women in general. This type of Shakespeare essay could be employed to discuss most of the comedies, since nearly all involve women adopting a man’s guise or taking the place of a traditional male role.
Of course, Shakespeare did this often for the practical reason that only men acted in his day and you might want to mention this in your introduction but even textually, women in Shakespeare are often presented in a strong masculine light.
How to approach this essay question:
This is the way you would need to approach this Shakespeare essay i.e. by looking at how Shakespeare presents the central characters in Much Ado About Nothing and how this relates to their gender. Clearly the central characters under discussion here would be Beatrice, Benedick, Hero and Claudio.
The structure to adopt would be:
- The introduction, where you discuss the role gender plays in the play as a whole and indicate the methodology that you intend to employ to address it.
- The main body, divided into three paragraphs with one paragraph on how the lovers are contrasted in the play, one on Beatrice and Benedick and one on Hero and Claudio, all supplemented by quotation and detailed analysis from the text. You should interweave these with the roles the other characters play in bringing the plot about and remain sharply focussed on the gender issues with which the question is concerned (you might examine the sparring of Beatrice and Benedick, for example, the disgrace of the falsely accused Hero and the way in which most of the men, including her father, abandon her).
- Conclude your Shakespeare essay with a summation of how Shakespeare uses gender in Much Ado About Nothing to show society’s degradation of women and the double standard that he saw to be operating.
Remember that the play is a comedy, so do not allow the discussion of the central issues dictated by the question to cause you to fail to comment in your Shakespeare essay on the witty exchanges which take place, especially between Beatrice and Benedick.
Example essay response:
Introduction
William Shakespeare’s comedies often serve as a lens through which we can examine gender roles and the portrayal of women. In “Much Ado About Nothing,” this examination is particularly relevant as the play showcases characters navigating societal expectations and personal desires, often subverting traditional gender norms. Written in a time when only men performed on stage, Shakespeare’s characters frequently cross-dress or assume roles typically reserved for the opposite gender. This essay explores how Shakespeare presents the central characters in “Much Ado About Nothing”—Beatrice, Benedick, Hero, and Claudio—focusing on their interactions and the broader implications of gender representation.
Gender Roles in “Much Ado About Nothing”
The Lovers’ Contrast
Shakespeare skillfully contrasts the lovers in “Much Ado About Nothing” to highlight gender roles and expectations. Beatrice and Benedick’s relationship is characterized by wit, mutual respect, and a playful battle of the sexes. Their banter and reluctant admission of love stand in stark contrast to the more traditional and serious courtship of Hero and Claudio. Beatrice, with her sharp tongue and independent spirit, defies the conventional passive female role, embodying a more masculine assertiveness. Benedick, while initially portraying the archetypal bachelor resistant to love, gradually reveals a deeper, more empathetic character. Their relationship evolves through mutual respect and intellectual parity, rather than through traditional gender dynamics.
Conversely, Hero and Claudio’s relationship adheres more closely to Elizabethan norms. Hero is the epitome of a submissive and virtuous woman, while Claudio embodies the idealized male suitor. Their courtship is marked by a lack of direct communication and is mediated by others, reflecting societal expectations of the time. Claudio’s quickness to doubt Hero’s chastity and his readiness to publicly shame her underscore the fragility of a woman’s reputation and the double standards women faced.
Beatrice and Benedick: Defying Norms
Beatrice and Benedick are central to Shakespeare’s exploration of gender roles. Beatrice’s outspoken nature and refusal to marry unless on her terms challenge the submissive role expected of women. She mocks the notion of female subservience, stating, “O that I were a man! I would eat his heart in the marketplace” (Act 4, Scene 1). Her desire to take on a traditionally male role to defend Hero’s honor underscores the limitations placed on women and their agency.
Benedick, on the other hand, undergoes significant character development. Initially dismissive of marriage and critical of women, his love for Beatrice transforms him. He becomes willing to challenge his male peers and societal norms to defend Beatrice and Hero, demonstrating a break from rigid masculine stereotypes. Their relationship exemplifies a balanced partnership where both parties are equals, an idea that was progressive for Shakespeare’s time.
Hero and Claudio: Upholding Traditions
In stark contrast to Beatrice and Benedick, Hero and Claudio’s relationship highlights the rigid gender expectations of the era. Hero is the quintessential passive female, her worth tied to her purity and obedience. Claudio’s love for Hero is superficial, based on her appearance and social standing rather than any deep personal connection. This is evident when Claudio, easily swayed by Don John’s deceit, publicly condemns Hero without seeking her side of the story. Hero’s public shaming and subsequent withdrawal from society reflect the harsh consequences women faced for any perceived impropriety.
Hero’s father, Leonato, exemplifies the societal inclination to doubt and control women. He quickly believes the accusations against Hero, expressing his disappointment and shame rather than defending his daughter. This reinforces the notion that a woman’s value is closely linked to her reputation and purity, and any deviation from these expectations results in severe social repercussions.
The Role of Supporting Characters
Supporting characters in “Much Ado About Nothing” play crucial roles in advancing the plot and highlighting gender dynamics. Don Pedro, Don John, and Leonato influence the main characters and their relationships. Don Pedro’s role in wooing Hero on Claudio’s behalf and his subsequent manipulation of Beatrice and Benedick into confessing their love underscores the male-dominated society where women have little agency in their romantic lives.
Don John, as the antagonist, exploits societal prejudices to wreak havoc. His successful deception hinges on Claudio and Don Pedro’s readiness to believe the worst about Hero, revealing the deep-seated mistrust and control over women’s sexuality. The comic characters, such as Dogberry and Verges, provide a contrast to the more serious themes, but even their interactions are steeped in the societal norms and expectations of the time.
The Comedy Element
Despite the serious underlying themes, “Much Ado About Nothing” remains a comedy, largely due to the witty exchanges and humorous situations involving Beatrice and Benedick. Their verbal sparring is not only entertaining but also serves as a critique of societal norms. Shakespeare uses humor to expose the absurdity of rigid gender roles and to advocate for more egalitarian relationships. The resolution of their relationship, where both characters maintain their individuality while committing to each other, provides a hopeful conclusion that challenges traditional gender expectations.
Conclusion
In “Much Ado About Nothing,” Shakespeare uses gender roles to explore and critique societal norms. Through the contrasting relationships of Beatrice and Benedick, and Hero and Claudio, Shakespeare highlights the limitations and expectations placed on women. Beatrice and Benedick’s relationship offers a progressive view of gender equality, where mutual respect and intellectual partnership prevail. In contrast, Hero and Claudio’s relationship underscores the fragility of a woman’s reputation and the harsh consequences of deviating from societal expectations.
Shakespeare’s portrayal of women in “Much Ado About Nothing” reveals a nuanced understanding of gender dynamics and the double standards women faced. By infusing comedy with critical social commentary, Shakespeare not only entertains but also provokes thought and reflection on the roles of men and women in society. The play remains relevant today, as it encourages audiences to question and challenge traditional gender roles and to advocate for more equitable relationships.