Much Ado About Nothing: A Classic English Comedy Set in Italy

end. This also helps the audience to understand the bases of Beatrice's character and why she acts reserved in her feelings towards others and doesn't act in the traditional feminine way (To be seen and not heard).During the wedding scene we see how Beatrice's temper can get the better of her and how the patriarchal society can get in the way of what she sees as justice."O God that I were a man! I would eat his heart in the market-place."Beatrice wishes that she were a man so that she could do her cousin Hero justice. She is so furious with Claudio for embarrassing Hero that she wishes she could consume his heart in the way he did Hero's.

She then takes it one step further when she tells Benedick to "Kill Claudio!" if he loves her.Whereas on the other hand Hero is sweeter and would never speak out of turn or demand anything from anyone, no matter whom they were. Even when she is being accused of all sorts during her own wedding, she hardly says more that two words. She also manages to stay relatively calm and polite towards the Count...

"I talk'd with no man at that hour, my lord."It is obvious that Hero is rather distraught at this accusation yet still treats the Count with respect. This is another example of how the patriarchal society controls everything. She refuses to express her anger and instead almost pleads with Claudio to believe her.

This also shows the contrast between the two couples. On one hand Benedick is agreeing to murder Claudio for Beatrice "I am engaged, I will challenge him" and on the

other Claudio is accusing Hero of being unfaithful "...approved wanton". This shows how inexperience Claudio and Hero are and how new their relationship is, trust has not yet been built between them whereas Benedick and Beatrice are merely rekindling their relationship and have already accepted each others faults.

Shakespeare also uses clothing metaphors throughout "Much Ado About Nothing"Such as "...see you one day fitted with a husband" and "..

.attir'd in wonder" this is a constant theme and can provide a stable base for the play. Shakespeare also shows the importance of virginity and reputation during this era through his characters.Leonato expresses the importance of reputation when his daughter is wrongly accused of having sex. First of all he believes Claudio, Don Pedro and Don John when they accuse "gentle Hero" and doesn't ask her side at all. He is too worried about what other people may think about him and his family to even second thought that they may be lying or a deception may have taken place.

In conclusion Shakespeare uses metaphors and dramatic language throughout the play such as "approved wanton" and "...see you one day fitted with a husband". Shakespeare does this to show unusual the points of view of Beatrice and Benedick are as well as get the dramatic mishaps for that era. For example Beatrice uses language not expected of a lady and does not want to get married.

Dramatic language is also used to show where women stood in society, especially in the wedding scene where Hero receives large amounts of verbal abuse but does not retaliate. This dramatic language often becomes humorous which is displayed through the denial of love

between Beatrice and Benedick.