Forgiving Tone In Oscar Wilde's Much Ado About Nothing

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Yes, I do think this play has a darker, less forgiving tone than other Wilde's works. This play delves into the inequalities between women and men during Victorian times, specicifially, the unfair roles of women in society compared to those of men. In the play it is revealed that Mrs. Arbuthnot was not really married like everyone thought and had given birth to an illegitimate child, which during this time period was absolutely scandalous. During this time period it was the mother who suffered in those times and would be punished solely for her indiscretions while the man responsible came out unscathed. Hester Worsley addresses this injustice and in her opinion she feels that both the mother and father should be blamed and punished not just