‘Men were deceivers ever.’ To what extent can it be argued that Shakespeare’s presentation of men’s attitudes to women in ‘Much Ado about Nothing’ allows for comedy? In Much Ado about Nothing, it can be equally argued that men’s attitudes towards women are actually used for comedy purposes, and it can be argued that their attitudes aren’t. For this argument, the relationship between Beatrice and Benedick at the start of the play can be seen as comical to the audience, as they both claim to dislike each other and take pleasure in making rude remarks to one another. On the other hand, the relationship between Hero and Claudio could be seen as quite dark to the audience, as there are accusations and trust issues between the two. The quote ‘men were deceivers ever’ comes from Act 2 Scene 3 of the play, from the song that Balthasar sings.
Hamlet portrays falsity when using rage against Ophelia after discovering she has been apart of a plot of revenge. He uses this as an opportunity to deny his love for her and degrade her until she felt horrible about her self. “I did love you once but you should have not belived me; for virtue cannot so inoculate our old stock but we shall relish of it. I loved you not.”(3.1.114-119). It becomes clear that Hamlet did truly love Ophelia, yet hid it because he was a coward.
Different events throughout the play lead these relationships to change, and lead both Romeo and Juliet to distrust their parental figures. For example when the Nurse, whom Juliet trusts deeply, refers to Romeo as a “dishclout” despite knowing that he is Juliet’s husband, this then leads Juliet to distrust the Nurse. When Capulet’s “fingers itch” after Juliet has disobeyed him, this could also be seen as failure on Capulet’s part to be a good parent. Some may argue that these events are examples of how Romeo and Juliet are failed by their parents and parental figures. In Act 3 scene 5 it could be argued that Juliet is failed by both her parents.
Their enticing sexuality, he believes, tempts men to behave in ways they would otherwise not. A visit to the “flophouse” (a cheap hotel, or brothel) is enough of women for George, and he has no desire for a female companion or wife. Curley’s wife, the only woman to appear in Of Mice and Men, seems initially to support George’s view of marriage. Dissatisfied with her marriage to a brutish man and bored with life on the ranch, she is constantly looking for excitement or trouble. In one of her more revealing moments, she threatens to have the black stable-hand lynched if he complains about her to the boss.
Much Ado about Nothing was written by William Shakespeare as a comedy, but it could have very well been turned into a tragedy comparable to Othello. In Othello, Desdemona becomes a leading part of Iago’s plot to take down Othello for not giving Iago the job that he wanted. At first Iago insinuates and makes innuendos to Othello that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio, and Othello doesn’t believe Iago. Othello says “Villain, be sure thou prove my love a whore, Be sure of it; give me the ocular proof; or, by the worth of mine eternal soul, thou hadst been better have been born a dog than answer my wak’d wrath”(3.3.360-364). Desdemona accidentally drops a handkerchief that Othello had given her.
The friar’s lack of communication, Romeo and Juliet’s emotions, and pressure from their families are responsible for Romeo and Juliet’s death. In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare shows us that true love is more important than anything else, even family loyalties. He also shows us that love is blind and dangerous. Romeo and Juliet are born into very different families, but fall in love anyway. The actions they take to solve this problem
Beatrice is cynical and witty; she doesn’t conform when it comes to the role of women in Elizabethan time. In terms of how males view females, there is a theme of cuckoldry (men who married unfaithful wives). This is shown in the first scene when Leonato confirms that Hero is his daughter, ‘Her mother hath many times told me so’, a joke at her expense, implying she is unfaithful to him. In a conversation between Claudio and Benedick, they talk about Hero. Claudio asks if he ‘noted’ her, Benedick tells him he did not, but he ‘looked on her’.
Friar Lawrence offers advice that hehimself does not follow. While his advice is well meaning, because he doesnot follow it, terrible events occur. The death of Romeo and Juliet, and,indirectly, Tybalt and Mercutio, are due to Friar Lawrence’s inability to backup his own advice with action. For example, had Friar Lawrence gone with hisown advice that marrying Romeo and Juliet would be too hasty, Romeo andJuliet would not have ended up dead. But, in the end, he married the coupletoo soon, eventually resulting in a disaster.
Friar is Not Neutral In Romeo and Juliet, Friar Lawrence is a key character since he is partly responsible for the death of Romeo and Juliet by providing them assistance; making him a character that is not neutral in the story. Friar Lawrence hesitantly agrees to marry the couple after advising Romeo that these “violent delights have violent ends” therefore asking the couple to “love moderately” (II. vi. 9/14). He understands that this marriage is based upon an impulsive decision made by the couple since he knows how Romeo reacts to love.
You mistrust your wife; you have concealed the anxiety with which you watch the development of this experiment. Think not so unworthily of me, my husband. Tell me all the risk we run, and fear not that I shall shrink; for my share in it is far less than your own. "(Hawthorne pg.298) Aylmer admits that he had been trying cures on her without her knowing but none of them have worked to far. He tells her that he has one more option which is dangerous.