Much Ado About Nothing Women Analysis

Much Ado about Nothing is a play that presents many themes, however one of these themes which is important to discuss is the status of women as Shakespeare uses a variety of literary methods such as double entendre’s, pun’s and the use of repartee’s to emphasise the contrast between Beatrice and Hero and the strengths and weaknesses of their romantic relationships for the purposes of comedy. It could be argued that Shakespeare uses these two characters in order for us to learn from both of their relationships, although particularly from Beatrice’s relationship with Benedick, ultimately being the best. Shakespeare shows throughout the entire play an admiration for women who go against the social norms or tradition and through

One might agree that this is true; however some may argue that Beatrice’s wit could almost be a play within a play in the hope of seducing Benedick even more with her wit. Although, it could be debated that this is a false claim for example in her witty repartee’s she says, ‘’ In our last conflict four of his five wits went halting off, and now is the whole man governed with one, so that if he have wit enough to keep himself warm , let him ear it for a difference between himself and his horse’ (Act 1:Scene 1)’, this statement suggests that the last time they had an argument Benedick lost four of his five senses, at the end of the quote she finishes of by advising him to stay away from her in order to preserve his last sense, the ending of the statement is comic as she advises him to keep his distance in order for him to be able to tell the difference between himself and his

However, it has been argued by Ian Johnston that ‘’the terms comedy and tragedy commonly refer to the ways in which dramatic conflicts are resolved’’ ; therefore, if we take Beatrice and Benedick as the main characters and remove Hero and Claudio this could indicate that the dramatic conflict suggested is the witty relationship between Beatrice and Benedick. One could then argue that if we know all dramatic conflicts are resolved then we know from the beginning that they will end up together. This is evident when Beatrice overhears Ursula and Hero speaking about her which leads Beatrice to say ‘’What fire is in mine ears? Can this be true? Stand I condemned for pride and scorn so much? Contempt, farewell and maiden pride, adieu!’’ (Act 3, Scene 1), this part of Beatrice’s journey clearly shows the point at which she has explored herself and realises she needs to change. Susan Synder points out that ‘’Shakespeare’s ‘women on top’ speciality has its own relevance to the comic mode, which rejoices, temporarily placing woman over men, dislocating the hierarchies sanctioned by its society only to reassert them at the play’s end’’ One may agree with this claim and many have suggested that Shakespeare was partially feminist however it can definitely be argued that this is not the