Much Ado About Nothing Beatrice Analysis
Ethan Martin
Professor Goossen
EN 115-2
April 12, 2016
An Analysis of Beatrice
Of all the characters from Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing”, Beatrice is perhaps the most interesting. As a brilliant and outspoken, her character is quite the opposite of her cousin, Hero. One must ask, “In what way is Beatrice different from other women during Shakespeare's era?” And furthermore, “for what purpose did the author write her as the firm character she plays as?” Beatrice’s character cannot be adequately pegged down by the interpretation of the reader, as she is both seemingly realistically presented and yet fictionally portrayed by the author.
Beatrice is incredibly dissimilar from the most common stereotypes of women propagated by common folk …show more content…
Furthermore, Beatrice is not simply different in these examples, but also in her perspective on marriage. During the time when “Much Ado About Nothing” was written, it was typical for upper class folk to marry in fulfilment of political schemes, family affairs, and as a means of securing one’s social status. Many women of the time had no say in the matter of marriage; rather, they were wed to a suitable husband before they reached their mid twenties. Here, a quote from “The Tudor Housewife” by Alison Sim shows the significance of, and the perspective on marriage during the time …show more content…
Now the contrast of Beatrice and Hero becomes rather intriguing. Taking Hero to be a reserved, silent, amiable woman -- the ideal woman, according to male writers of the time -- it may pique the reader’s interest to observe her as the women who is disgraced and slandered. On the other hand, Beatrice, a direct and facetious woman, is not put to shame and manages to find a content relationship with her new husband Benedick. Could it be possible that Shakespeare was conveying a message through his play to comment upon the issue of gender roles in society? Perhaps it was displayed as an artful interpretation to cause males to re-evaluate their opinions of women, and to incite social
Professor Goossen
EN 115-2
April 12, 2016
An Analysis of Beatrice
Of all the characters from Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing”, Beatrice is perhaps the most interesting. As a brilliant and outspoken, her character is quite the opposite of her cousin, Hero. One must ask, “In what way is Beatrice different from other women during Shakespeare's era?” And furthermore, “for what purpose did the author write her as the firm character she plays as?” Beatrice’s character cannot be adequately pegged down by the interpretation of the reader, as she is both seemingly realistically presented and yet fictionally portrayed by the author.
Beatrice is incredibly dissimilar from the most common stereotypes of women propagated by common folk …show more content…
Furthermore, Beatrice is not simply different in these examples, but also in her perspective on marriage. During the time when “Much Ado About Nothing” was written, it was typical for upper class folk to marry in fulfilment of political schemes, family affairs, and as a means of securing one’s social status. Many women of the time had no say in the matter of marriage; rather, they were wed to a suitable husband before they reached their mid twenties. Here, a quote from “The Tudor Housewife” by Alison Sim shows the significance of, and the perspective on marriage during the time …show more content…
Now the contrast of Beatrice and Hero becomes rather intriguing. Taking Hero to be a reserved, silent, amiable woman -- the ideal woman, according to male writers of the time -- it may pique the reader’s interest to observe her as the women who is disgraced and slandered. On the other hand, Beatrice, a direct and facetious woman, is not put to shame and manages to find a content relationship with her new husband Benedick. Could it be possible that Shakespeare was conveying a message through his play to comment upon the issue of gender roles in society? Perhaps it was displayed as an artful interpretation to cause males to re-evaluate their opinions of women, and to incite social