DISCUSSION QUESTIONS ON
‘MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING’
Greta Gruzdyte
,1. Do you think it is unrealistic that Hero and Claudio love each other? Why?
I think that it is unrealistic that Hero and Claudio love each other, but they do love what they can bring
for each other and are in love with the idea of being in love their marriage will be dynastic.
Back in the 16th century, people didn't date one another like they do today. In fact, a lingering look,
without ever speaking a word, might go a long way in earning one's affection. Claudio and Hero barely
exchange any words, and yet, Claudio is certain of his love for her. In the play, he says:
➢ ''All prompting me how fair young Hero is, Saying, I liked her ere I went to wars.''
➢ “She was the sweetest lady that ever I looked upon
● Claudio had feelings for Hero before he left for war, but now that he has returned, and sees her,
he feels certain he loves her. Although this love does seem to be his driving motivation, it does
not prevent him from asking Don Pedro if Leonato, Hero's father, has a son. This question tells
us two things: first, Claudio doesn't know Hero all that well or he would already know she is an
only child. And two, he does, despite his love, have some interest in Hero's inheritance, which
would become his upon the death of Leonato.
Claudio has a change of attitude towards Hero.
● Women are seen as wives to be bought home “Give me this maid your daughter” Claudio has
asked permission from her father to give Hero to him; she is an object or possession, addresses
her not by name. Women given no choice of opinion, lack of power.
● Until this point Claudio prizes her, asking: “Can the world buy such a jewel?”- objectification
reflects his expectations of her perfection, so that when it appears that she is less than perfect,
he publicly rejects her and humiliates her in the denunciation scene. Claudio can only relate to
Hero either as “Dian in her orb”- the goddess of chastity, or of being “more intemperate in [her]
blood Than Venus, or those pampered animals That rage in savage sensuality. ” Such similes
reflect the inequality of their relationship.
● Claudio quickly falls in love with Hero and appears to be a fool in love when Don John deceives
him. His immature attitude allows him to reject Hero as quickly as he accepts her, and he is
hasty when he believes the rumors and takes advantage on their wedding day.
● Claudio uses hero to obtain his fortune.
, 2. What is Shakespeare saying about relationships between men and women in this play?
Shakespeare is introducing the audience to different relationships; some being a reflection of common
relationships and some being new and intriguing relationships where the man and the woman are seen
as equals.
The relationship between Beatrice and Benedick is seen as uncommon because of the power Beatrice
has compared to the women at the time over Benedick.
➢ Leonato: “merry war betwixt Signor Benedick and her; they never meet but there’s a skirmish of
wit between them.”
● Beatrice, an orphan, is an independent, vivacious woman, unshackled by dominant male figures
this allows for them to have a merry war because she doesn’t stand down to Benedick.
● I fact, Beatrice reveals herself to be on an equal intellectual footing with her male counterparts.
In particular when Leonato acknowledges this.
● Such an equal relationship could potentially lack drama; however, the tension between the two
is entertaining because of the way in which they use language as a weapon and as a mask to
hide their true feelings.
● Oxymoronic.
● The audience from the start knows that they are going to be a perfect match.
This merry war is seen from the beginning of the play all the way to the end. There is a clear progression
from war in their relationship to marriage.
➢ For instance, the very first thing she says to Benedick in the play is: “nobody marks you.”
● This demonstrates a freedom that she possesses, unlike Hero, who is presented as being very
much constrained by her social circumstances, being the daughter of a powerful man.
● Is supposed to bring an emotional response from the audience as they might feel offended that
Beatrice has the courage to stand up to Benedick like that.
● One could argue that as Benedick kisses Beatrice in the final scene: “Peace! I will stop your
mouth. ” Beatrice is tamed, and this is Shakespeare’s way of returning a woman to her rightful
place. This could also suggest that the only way that Benedick is able to control Beatrice is
through love, she is vulnerable to this pure emotion. Even in a mope equal relationship men
have power over women.
‘MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING’
Greta Gruzdyte
,1. Do you think it is unrealistic that Hero and Claudio love each other? Why?
I think that it is unrealistic that Hero and Claudio love each other, but they do love what they can bring
for each other and are in love with the idea of being in love their marriage will be dynastic.
Back in the 16th century, people didn't date one another like they do today. In fact, a lingering look,
without ever speaking a word, might go a long way in earning one's affection. Claudio and Hero barely
exchange any words, and yet, Claudio is certain of his love for her. In the play, he says:
➢ ''All prompting me how fair young Hero is, Saying, I liked her ere I went to wars.''
➢ “She was the sweetest lady that ever I looked upon
● Claudio had feelings for Hero before he left for war, but now that he has returned, and sees her,
he feels certain he loves her. Although this love does seem to be his driving motivation, it does
not prevent him from asking Don Pedro if Leonato, Hero's father, has a son. This question tells
us two things: first, Claudio doesn't know Hero all that well or he would already know she is an
only child. And two, he does, despite his love, have some interest in Hero's inheritance, which
would become his upon the death of Leonato.
Claudio has a change of attitude towards Hero.
● Women are seen as wives to be bought home “Give me this maid your daughter” Claudio has
asked permission from her father to give Hero to him; she is an object or possession, addresses
her not by name. Women given no choice of opinion, lack of power.
● Until this point Claudio prizes her, asking: “Can the world buy such a jewel?”- objectification
reflects his expectations of her perfection, so that when it appears that she is less than perfect,
he publicly rejects her and humiliates her in the denunciation scene. Claudio can only relate to
Hero either as “Dian in her orb”- the goddess of chastity, or of being “more intemperate in [her]
blood Than Venus, or those pampered animals That rage in savage sensuality. ” Such similes
reflect the inequality of their relationship.
● Claudio quickly falls in love with Hero and appears to be a fool in love when Don John deceives
him. His immature attitude allows him to reject Hero as quickly as he accepts her, and he is
hasty when he believes the rumors and takes advantage on their wedding day.
● Claudio uses hero to obtain his fortune.
, 2. What is Shakespeare saying about relationships between men and women in this play?
Shakespeare is introducing the audience to different relationships; some being a reflection of common
relationships and some being new and intriguing relationships where the man and the woman are seen
as equals.
The relationship between Beatrice and Benedick is seen as uncommon because of the power Beatrice
has compared to the women at the time over Benedick.
➢ Leonato: “merry war betwixt Signor Benedick and her; they never meet but there’s a skirmish of
wit between them.”
● Beatrice, an orphan, is an independent, vivacious woman, unshackled by dominant male figures
this allows for them to have a merry war because she doesn’t stand down to Benedick.
● I fact, Beatrice reveals herself to be on an equal intellectual footing with her male counterparts.
In particular when Leonato acknowledges this.
● Such an equal relationship could potentially lack drama; however, the tension between the two
is entertaining because of the way in which they use language as a weapon and as a mask to
hide their true feelings.
● Oxymoronic.
● The audience from the start knows that they are going to be a perfect match.
This merry war is seen from the beginning of the play all the way to the end. There is a clear progression
from war in their relationship to marriage.
➢ For instance, the very first thing she says to Benedick in the play is: “nobody marks you.”
● This demonstrates a freedom that she possesses, unlike Hero, who is presented as being very
much constrained by her social circumstances, being the daughter of a powerful man.
● Is supposed to bring an emotional response from the audience as they might feel offended that
Beatrice has the courage to stand up to Benedick like that.
● One could argue that as Benedick kisses Beatrice in the final scene: “Peace! I will stop your
mouth. ” Beatrice is tamed, and this is Shakespeare’s way of returning a woman to her rightful
place. This could also suggest that the only way that Benedick is able to control Beatrice is
through love, she is vulnerable to this pure emotion. Even in a mope equal relationship men
have power over women.
