Much Ado About Nothing Men Vs Women

William Shakespeare writes two interconnecting plots in his comedy Much Ado About Nothing that highlight the different dynamics between men and women. One focuses on the love and deception of the submissive Hero and fickle Claudio, and the other centers on the development of the love-hate relationship between the joker Benedick and dominant Beatrice. Hero and Claudio follow the traditional, socially accepted dynamic—a strong-appearing man and a weaker-appearing woman. Of course, Hero's strength allows her to persevere through her castigation from accusing men, and Claudio's dependence on other people and their ideas shows a pathetic and ultimately irascible aspect of himself. On the other hand, Beatrice and Benedick appear equal in energy and

However, once Beatrice is 'won over' by Benedick, she seems subdued and dominated by him, furthering patriarchal ideals. Shakespeare introduces Benedick and Beatrice’s relationship in the first act and scene of Much Ado About Nothing with a witty battle. During their 'witty war,' Benedick insults Beatrice for being talkative, calling her "a rare parrot teacher" (1.1.103), and in response, she insults him again. This scene describes her competitive personality and serves as a reference to how it changes throughout the play. Later, when Beatrice overhears that Benedick loves her, she says that she will improve herself for him, "Taming [her] wild heart to [Benedick's] loving hand" (3.1.113). This implies that she needs to be tamed and subdued to match Benedick’s sophistication, contradicting her usual outspoken demeanor and previous notions that suggested equality. Beatrice wants him "to bind [their] loves up in a holy band" (3.1.115), utilizing language more uncomfortable and constricting than loving. Beatrice speaks in verse in this soliloquy, and it is the first time she does so, suggesting her sincerity or shift into a more 'ladylike' woman, as Hero appears to

She points out her hatred for the system and its misogyny, yelling, "Is [Claudio] not approved in the height a villain, that hath slandered, scorned, dishonored my kinswoman?" (4.1.291). Beatrice knows the truth, but no one will believe her. She remarks that men are not suitable for anything as they used to be, and now, they only lie and boast. Beatrice's "feminine rage" is true to how anyone would feel in this situation. However, a woman in the 16th century would not express it outwardly. Through this, Beatrice again proves herself to be a strong and aware woman who would not usually be portrayed in this period. However, as Benedick confesses his love again, she calms and resumes conforming to a more socially acceptable woman. Shakespeare depicts this as Beatrice accepts Benedick's kiss meant to stop her from speaking, "Peace, I will stop your mouth" (5.4.96). What seems to be an adorable way of showing their love may be an insight into their relationship in the future—Benedick stopping Beatrice from speaking. After this line, she does not speak for the rest of the play. In fact, no women speak at all while the men secure and dictate their futures, for better or