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Much Ado About Nothing: context
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Much Ado was written around 1598 to 1599. Ideas about gender, honour and social status explain how the characters behave.
Women and men
In Elizabethan society women were expected to be quiet and obedient, like Hero. Beatrice's sharp wit challenges this.
Fathers controlled their daughters' marriages: Leonato agrees to Claudio's proposal for Hero.
Fathers controlled their daughters' marriages: Leonato agrees to Claudio's proposal for Hero.
Honour and status
Men such as Claudio and Don Pedro returning from war valued honour and friendship between men.
A man's honour could be damaged by a wife's supposed unfaithfulness, which is why Claudio reacts so harshly.
Don John is illegitimate (a 'bastard'), which may explain his resentment.
A man's honour could be damaged by a wife's supposed unfaithfulness, which is why Claudio reacts so harshly.
Don John is illegitimate (a 'bastard'), which may explain his resentment.
Comedy and the stage
Shakespeare's comedies usually end in marriage. Much Ado mixes comedy with near-tragedy at the wedding.
Women's roles were played by boy actors.
Women's roles were played by boy actors.
How might an Elizabethan audience view Leonato's furious reaction to the accusation against Hero?
- They believed a daughter's chastity reflected on the family's honour.
- A public accusation could ruin the family's name.
- So his reaction, while shocking, would make sense to them.
Answer: As understandable, because a daughter's reputation reflected on her family's honour.
Written about 1598 to 1599. Patriarchy, male honour, the importance of female chastity, illegitimacy (Don John) and comic conventions shape the play.
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