In Shakespearean times, noble women are expected to be chaste and obedient before marriage. Much Ado About Nothing is about love, hate, deception and honor. After a war, Don Pedro returns to Messina with pleasant company. Young Count Claudio is immediately enchanted by Hero and arranges a marriage. However, Don John, the prince’s bastard brother, plots against Claudio. Don John convinces Claudio that Hero is unchaste and has been sleeping with a man before their wedding day. During the wedding, Claudio marks Hero as being unchaste and her reputation is ruined. In the play, there are several scenes that display the near deadly consequences of Don John’s villainy and Hero’s damaged reputation. The loss of Hero’s honor has near deadly consequences
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The love between Beatrice and Benedick is restrained by the crime of Claudio damaging Hero’s reputation. When Beatrice and Benedick talk, they admit their mutual love, however Beatrice refuses to be with Benedick unless he kills Claudio. Benedick says, “Come, bid me do anything for thee,” and Beatrice responds with “Kill Claudio.” (4.1.288). The tension between Beatrice and Benedick only exists because of Claudio’s accusations. If Claudio never accuses Hero of anything than Beatrice and Benedick are free to be together, however Beatrice is suppressed by the slander that damages Hero’s reputation. Benedick preserves Beatrice's wish and sets out to find Claudio. When he finds Claudio he challenges him to a duel. Benedick says, “You are a villain. I jest you not. I will make it good, how you dare, with what you dare.” (???). The danger of Hero’s loss of honor forces Benedick into a duel with Claudio where one of them is bound to die. Thankfully the duel is avoided, but is still a lingering danger.
After Claudio exposes Hero, lots of dangerous consequences follow. The loss of Hero’s honor has near deadly effects on Claudio and Hero, Leonato and Hero, and Beatrice and Benedick. The characters are far too quick to judge Hero which leads them into a deadly abyss, It is human nature to believe what we hear and see when it is not always true, This problem has escalated with the influence of the media and increased social pressure, however remains similar to social life in Shakespearean
The love between Beatrice and Benedick is restrained by the crime of Claudio damaging Hero’s reputation. When Beatrice and Benedick talk, they admit their mutual love, however Beatrice refuses to be with Benedick unless he kills Claudio. Benedick says, “Come, bid me do anything for thee,” and Beatrice responds with “Kill Claudio.” (4.1.288). The tension between Beatrice and Benedick only exists because of Claudio’s accusations. If Claudio never accuses Hero of anything than Beatrice and Benedick are free to be together, however Beatrice is suppressed by the slander that damages Hero’s reputation. Benedick preserves Beatrice's wish and sets out to find Claudio. When he finds Claudio he challenges him to a duel. Benedick says, “You are a villain. I jest you not. I will make it good, how you dare, with what you dare.” (???). The danger of Hero’s loss of honor forces Benedick into a duel with Claudio where one of them is bound to die. Thankfully the duel is avoided, but is still a lingering danger.
After Claudio exposes Hero, lots of dangerous consequences follow. The loss of Hero’s honor has near deadly effects on Claudio and Hero, Leonato and Hero, and Beatrice and Benedick. The characters are far too quick to judge Hero which leads them into a deadly abyss, It is human nature to believe what we hear and see when it is not always true, This problem has escalated with the influence of the media and increased social pressure, however remains similar to social life in Shakespearean