“O That I Were a Man, I Would Eat His Heart in the Market Place

Shakespeare’s plays differ from modern morals and values, as he was writing to conform with the views of the era, which was when Elizabeth 1st was on the throne. Because of this, his characters differ, sometimes to a comical degree, with men generally being portrayed as what we, in the modern world, would consider a chauvinist, and their women being portrayed as almost inferior.

However, in the first two acts of the play, Shakespeare’s two main female characters are presented with some contrast. One character, Hero, fits in the quiet and respected ‘daughterly’ image, whereas Beatrice, her cousin, appears to feel no chains tying her to conformity. She is very witty, and where Hero politely acknowledges men and their comments, Beatrice feels happy to openly criticise men, particularly Benedick, a noble friend of the Prince. We see her do this in the very first Scene of the play, when she learns that he is coming to the town, saying things like ‘Is Signor Mountanto returned from the fight?’ She calls him this as she is referri

Knowledge from AS level history studies.

Claudio, the young nobleman who was set to marry Hero, appears to be another male character who is easily manipulated, and also seems impulsive. He seems to fall in love with Hero extremely quickly in Scene 1, and his emotions then contrast greatly as he goes from being ecstatic at the prospect of marriage to devastated as he readily believes reports from Don John, the Bastard brother of the Prince, that Don Pedro has himself chosen Hero, and says ‘It is certain, the Prince woos for himself.’ Despite the fact that Don John had already lied to him once, Claudio impulsively believes him again when Don John tells Claudio that he saw Hero with another man. In another example of male bravado, Claudio instantly decides to shame Hero at the altar. Ironically, this is the only impulsive decision Claudio sticks with, and is the only bad decision he makes. This impulsiveness is almost certainly due to his youthfulness, and we are made aware of the fact he is young when Benedick calls him ‘Lord Lackbeard’ in Act 5 Scene 1,also referring to him as ‘boy.’

Some topics in this essay:
Beatrice Benedick, Claudio Leonato, NOTHING” Shakespeare’s, Don John, Signor Mountanto, Governor Messina, Beatrice Benedick’s, Lackbeard’ Act, Price Beatrice, Dogberry Verges, scene 1, don john, don pedro, act 4, act 2, beatrice benedick, act 5 scene, act 5, 5 scene, 5 scene 1, evidence act, kim price, leonato governor messina, act 4 scene,