Gender in "Much Ado About Nothing"

Paper Summary:

This paper examines how the community in "Much Ado About Nothing" proves to be a microcosm of the way men looked upon women in Shakespeare's era. The gender conflict in this play is strongly present throughout, controlling much of the action and the dialogue. This paper discusses in particular the relationship of Claudio and Benedict.

From the Paper:

"In Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing", the community proves to be a microcosm of the way men looked upon women in Shakespeare's era. The gender conflict in this play is strongly present throughout, controlling much of the action and the dialogue. It seems to me that the center point of conversation among the men of Messina was nine times out of ten about the inferiority of women and the superiority of men. When Berger names the women of Messina as spoils of war and commodities, he is hitting the nail on the head. Hero, for example, has lived a wholesome and impeccable life but when she stands accused of adultery, the men need no trial or investigation. The men of Messina made up their minds in about a half of a second about the guilt of a young lady who was looked upon highly in the community. Hero's father Leonato wasted no time either in chastising and defaming his only daughter."

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