Defining the Cultural Influence of Human Nature in William Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing” The definition of human nature often serves as a quick and a prominent explanation for how people behave under a variety of circumstances within their cultural boundaries. Similarly, in William Shakespeare’s play “Much Ado About Nothing” the 16th century Sicilian culture in which the characters live in, defines the complex relationships and interactions that shape characters human nature in this dramatic comedy. In comparison, I have often heard people refer to the nature of humans in the 21st century, as a way to distinguish a person’s violent actions under wartime circumstances. In “Much Ado About Nothing” the culture of social and wartime influence is defined through the relationships and interactions between characters with the heart and mind of the characters in constant conflict. In focusing on the characters of Beatrice and Benedict, their relationship serves as the ultimate example of the fusion of war and social culture as both engage in a variety of conflicts throughout the play that influence their human nature. Often called a “merry way,” the relationship of Benedict and Beatrice in “Much Ado About Nothing” displays key social and militaristic culture influences the characters human nature (William …show more content…
While the definition of culture has changed dramatically since the 16th century the ideals of social expectations as well as the influence of war have not as today many people still are influenced by these cultural definitions. In conclusion, “Much Ado About Nothing” ultimately defines the structure of human nature through painting a complex understanding of cultural influence that still compares greatly to the 21 century
Extracurricular Reading II Much Ado About Nothing analyzes how traditional gender roles shape behavior and actions in society. Many of the characters in the play, such as Benedick and Beatrice, actively attempt to defy the expectations placed upon them by virtue of their sex, while others nearly perfectly match the stereotypes- Hero and Claudio being prime examples. Benedick and Beatrice represent defiance of the norm- Beatrice repeatedly claims that she will avoid marriage at all costs, and Benedick doesn’t seem any more likely to place himself in a position to be cuckolded.
In society, the resolute delusion of reality stands as a custom in everyday life. An individual would rather live in an illusive fantasy rather than facing the trifling hardships stacked across and around every facet of existence. In the famed Shakespearean play Much Ado About Nothing, the idea of fantasy vs. reality stands as an ever present theme throughout the play’s entirety. Kenneth Branagh and Joss Whedon, two acclaimed filmmakers, took on the challenge of addressing the resonating ideas found in the play in astoundingly different interpretations.
In Much Ado About Nothing, Shakespeare uses the characters of Claudio and Beatrice to argue that pride can lead one to not consider others' words or feelings. In Much Ado About Nothing, Claudio and Beatrice are both very proud and protective of their image. This pride leads them to say things to others before they've had a chance to think, and they end up hurting others with what they’ve said. When comparing these two characters, it’s shown that pride can lead one to not consider others’ words or feelings. Beatrice is shown throughout the play to have an immense amount of pride and self-respect.
Play Analysis – Essay 1 “Much Ado About Nothing “ Submitted by Noor Ul Ain Shaikh (BSMS 2A) What seems to be a comedy play for an audience who enjoys a theatre with good humor and romance, “Much Ado About Nothing” contains much more than just entertainment. If we dig in deep, William Shakespeare’s play has much more than a tragic story with happy ending; even that is debatable. The theme of this play revolves around deception, plotting against your own, personal gains and rejection.
Joseph Addison’s Cato is an 18th century tragedy unfamiliar to the common plays of its time. Cato depicts the final days of civil war with the imminent invasion of Caesar and presents the ideals of republican liberty and virtue. The loud tone of virtue within the play is undeniable. Cato provides a description of qualities that can classify one as virtuous. Virtuous individuals sacrifice their happiness for others.
Josie Rourke’s modern stage adaptation of Much Ado About Nothing is renowned for the hilarious reunion of the Doctor Who costars: David Tennant and Catherine Tate, whose chemistry is mesmerizingly brilliant and inevitable from the moment the two step on the stage. As said by the Guardian: “Tennant and Tate sparkle in Much Ado,” it is this sort of partnership that really enraptures an audience, the choice of pairing being one of the main highlights of the exceptional replication of the 16th century classic. The play centers Beatrice (Tate) and Benedick (Tennant), the disputatious lovers, who hold a reputation for being unapparent to the love that they clearly share for each other, going along with repartee, oblivious to the
Coping with Crisis According to Freudian psychoanalysis, humans, as a whole, have three main parts to their psychological identity. These parts are the Id, which desires judgement and decisions based on primitive inclinations, the SuperEgo, which desires judgement and decisions based on morals and ethics, and lastly the Ego which tries to balance power between the Id and SuperEgo. In “Macbeth”, the famous seventeenth century play by Shakespeare, each character is crafted to cope with crises differently; some are healthier than others. Two of the most common ways of coping are to fight or flight.
Equal treatment of the sexes is a cause many have been fighting for, for decades, and in this case, centuries. Slight rebellious acts of women bending gender norms can be seen as far back as Shakespearean plays, in particular, Twelfth Night and Much Ado About Nothing. Olivia from Twelfth Night, and Beatrice from Much Ado About Nothing showcase characteristics of being opinionated, assertive, and strong-willed; qualities that were rarely seen during that time period. Much Ado About Nothing was written around 1598 and Twelfth Night was written around 1601, which was the Elizabethan era. During the Elizabethan era, women were raised to think that they were inferior to men.
To them they see pure hatred but to others there are some love in it. The two can’t help but uses harsh words toward each other. Beatrice expresses her
John Ruskin once said, “It is better to lose your pride with someone you love than to lose that someone you love with your useless pride.” Similarly, in Much Ado About Nothing, Shakespeare also suggests that the biggest barrier between romantic love is pride. He asserts, this by telling the readers that love is a far more authentic feeling than pride, and that love can only grow if an individual is able to set aside their pride and allow themselves to be both vulnerable and receptive to authentic feelings. The first thing that is emphasized in the play, Much Ado About Nothing is the vulnerability and dangers of love. It’s shown that falling in love is a constant danger, and that no one gets out of the ordeal unharmed.
Only the truest love can survive the trials of the gruesome world. In William Shakespeare's play Much Ado About Nothing, two sets of lovers attempt to brave the sea of love. Claudio and Hero’s affection quivers through their various trials. Although the play is a comedy, it also consists of solemn moments. For instance, the couple’s love is put to the test when Claudio convicts Hero of being unchaste.
William Shakespeare's King Lear is depressing and has no mercy, but it also encounters many more aspects which are quite important for everyone to know, such as: trails of deaths, battles, love, hatred, treacheries and most importantly nature and culture. Shakespeare created a play where the world was cruel and there was only plotting and tragedy with no shining light at the end of the tunnel. Shakespeare makes King Lear, a natural figure to show the hypocrisy. The connection between King Lear and Cordelia is an analogy for the relationship of nature and culture. It seems that King Lear believed in culture instead of nature, he could not understand his youngest, nicest and the most loving daughter Cordelia only because she had no words to
Human nature is perceived as a delightful entity. In William Shakespeare’s Othello, several characters demonstrate the dark side of human nature and display how simple it is to get carried away with emotions. This includes Iago, who only cares for himself, Brabantio who has many doubts, and Roderigo who lacks intellect. Firstly, Iago demonstrates the dark side of human nature by being self-centered.
In the Shakespearean comedy The Tempest, we are presented with the psychological violence associated with the abuse of power and continuous theme of colonialism explored throughout the play. In early works of Shakespeare it is evident that the violence interrogated in his plays consists of bloodshed and physical torture as opposed to his later works such as The Tempest where the play focuses on the ideology of psychological violence. The Tempest was one of the last plays written by Shakespeare and is recognised as one of his most popular works
The film Lost in Translation follows two Americans visiting Tokyo during important transitional periods in their lives. Charlotte is a recent college graduate trying to figure out her career while also moving on from the honeymoon phase of her new marriage. Bob Harris is essentially going through a mid-life crisis as he sorts through life post-movie stardom and struggles to maintain a relationship with his overbearing wife. The two find each other in the hotel bar as a result of their inability to sleep and form a connection based on their mutual isolation in both their relationships and the city of Tokyo. The film touches on the importance of communication as well as what it is like to be a foreigner alone in a vastly different culture.