Theme - Women

Question 1

Quotes

Answer 1

• Beatrice act 1: Scene 1 “such a face as yours”
• Beatrice referring to Benedick act 1: Scene 1 “Signior Mountanto”
• “She knows the heat of a luxurious bed”
• “her blush is guitliness not modesty”
• “Count, take of me my daughter” - Leonato
• “Oh God that I were a man! I would eat his heart at the market place” - Beatrice

Answer 2

• Conventional Elizabethan views that women are defined by their relationship to men - daughter, mother, wife…
• Hero is a typical woman of the time, submissive, conventional and quiet whilst Beatrice shows a great contrast and rare character who is witty and independent.

1. Hero proves this character when remaining silent whilst Claudio hurls abuse at her “She knows the heat of a luxurious bed” and “her blush is guitliness not modesty”
2. Conventional view that daughters’ destinies can be determined by their fathers. “Count, take of me my daughter” - Leonato
3. Following this idea that men have power over women and can easily manipulate them is shown by both Don Pedro being able to woo Hero on behalf of Claudio, Borachio being able to manipulate Margret into participating in his plot to disgrace Hero and Benedick being able to ‘stop’ Beatrice’s mouth with a kiss.
4. The play highlights the reality of men and women’s roles in society, it is Leonato and Benedick that are able to lead charge in bring about justice not Beatrice and Hero.
5. Beatrice shows her fury through this disgusting imagery and violent (masculine) language rarely used by a female character - her anger at the superiority divide between men and women. “Oh God that I were a man! I would eat his heart at the market place” - this anger with Claudio highlights her emotional strength but physical and social weakness, she still needs a male (Benedick) to challenge Claudio.