Beatrice and Hero in Much Ado About Nothing

Beatrice and Hero in William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing

Beatrice is a young, attractive woman, who lives to be an

unconventional member of her community. She is technically a free

woman as her father died when she was younger and she has no one to

say to her no, or that’s enough, or in general tell her what to do.

She lives her life as she wishes and is known as Lady Disdain by one

of her fellow characters, Benedick.

However, Hero is the complete opposite to her cousin Beatrice. She too

is an only child; she is rich and would be a good catch for any man of

her time. She is as decorative as a porcelain doll and never

complains. She is also loyal to her friends and family, and always

does exactly what she is told, without making a fuss.

Shakespeare uses different ways and techniques to present the two very

different characters, and personalities of Hero and Beatrice.

The addition of the characters of Beatrice and Benedick to the play

adds to the comedy of the rest of play. It is obvious to the audience

that Beatrice and Benedick are in love, and seeing their different

reactions proves comical to all. For example, like the way that the

two fight each other, and are constantly fighting a ‘merry war’

against each other.

The play is set in Messina, Sicily and was written by William

Shakespeare around the time of the 1600’s. The role of women at this

time was similar to that of Hero’s character. A woman to look pretty,

bring up the children, and to be placid and patient.

Shakespeare often refers to women at this time as wives, potential

wives, or whores. However when he writes the character of Beatrice, he

is one ...

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...e is how Shakespeare was able to come up with these ideas

living in the time that he did. For example Beatrice living the life

that she does. Not only does the basic story line of Beatrice fit into

our everyday lives, but also, would it be true to say that William

Shakespeare, was a prime example of an early feminist expressing his

views and opinions in comedy. To me it seems like he was writing a few

hundred years in advance of his time.

So as you can see William Shakespeare used many different ways and

techniques to achieve what he did in much ado about nothing and I am

sure that there are many more that I am yet to discover. I think that

in this case, I will agree with Dianna Lynn Kitching, of the

Washington gazette when she says;

‘A fun read, with great characters,

that almost everyone seems to love.’