‘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.
Othello says to her “It gives me wonder great as my content to see you here before me. O my soul’s joy!” (2.1.199-200). These beautiful and loving words are soon changed to hostility and rage with the thought of Desdemona’s betrayal. Both Desdemona and Hero are accused of being unfaithful through presented “ocular proof”, they are both disgraced by the leading male role, and they are young and inexperienced in the ways of love and both women are extremely forgiving after they have been mistreated by their suitors. 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.
Friar Lawrence makes fun of Romeo saying that young men only love what they see. They do not love with their hearts but with their eyes and thoughts. Their love is shallow and superficial. He questions whether Romeo shed a single tear for Rosaline before moving on. Friar Lawrence brings out Romeo’s fickle minded nature by showing how he falls in love with a new woman, Juliet, in a very short time frame.
Thieves!’ Significant that Desdemona is placed in the middle of this list of objects, suggests that she is seen as an possession by both Iago and Brabantio. Although Othello is shown to be an honourable man, he still considers his wife as an object that belongs to him. Homosexuality in Othello: Iago’s love Iago seems to love no one, and talks about sex in a lewd manner however he seems to be obsessed with sexual function perhaps its sex between a man and woman that disgusts him and not sex in general. Iago is constantly arguing that you can control your feelings ‘as out bodies are our gardens’. This implies that he may be suppressing his feelings towards Othello.
Petruchio forces Katherina (Kate) to change from an abrasive, bad tempered, ill mouthed shrew into a perfect, docile, honey-tongued wife. Written between 1590 and 1594, it has claimed the title of one of Shakespeare's earliest Comedies and also one of his most controversial works. Particularly for modern audiences, Petruchio and his methods are what have earned this play its name as a highly misogynistic text. Via abuse, public humiliation and starvation he finally attains his goal of taming Katherina. Petruchio, a wealthy and unmarried gentlemen from Verona, wishes a wife.
Larkin describes one of the girls to be ‘a bosomy English rose’ and the other ‘in specs’, who we feel is less attractive. Larkin objectifies one of the women and pictures her as a sexual object due to her looks, the other women he ‘could talk to’ suggesting this time Larkin is manipulating her personality. In the second stanza Larkin mentions ‘a ten guinea ring’, one could argue this could be a sign of marriage but not actually conforming to her, however this is ambiguous, as we do no know what girl hold this ring. What I find most significant about the ring is the fact Larkin goes against his views on consumerism to try and seduce a women. Nevertheless Larkin ‘got it back in the end’ which illustrates Larkin not fully conforming to her results in rejection.
Why does Iago hate Othello? Go deep on this one Iago’s gay and loves Othello From the beginning Shakespeare sets up Emilia and Iagos rocky relationship. “You rise play, and go to bed to work,” Iago is completely degrading and twisted toward women. Emilia responds to Iago by saying “You shall no write my praise.” Iago portrays strong negative feelings toward women which is portrayed through his actions. Iago’s murder of Emilia could also come from the general hatred of women that he displays.
‘Although we condemn Vittoria’s wickedness, we also reluctantly admire her.’ Consider Vittoria’s role in the play in light of this comment. Sigmund Freud coined the Madonna-Whore Complex, a condition where men identify women as either saintly virgin Madonnas or sexual “whores”. This can apply to Vittoria in The White Devil who could be seen as the whore in the complex, therefore suggesting that she is should not be admired as she is wicked. In a society that was focused on women being virtuous and chaste, Vittoria’s adulterous affair with Brachiano shows her wickedness, as sexual promiscuity was an extremely serious crime. Their affair is the catalyst for the murders and betrayal within the play.
How could anyone in a clear state of mind desire marriage after being exposed to such a brilliantly devised sequence of bitter-sweet remarks on the institution of marriage? In essence, when the bubble fireworks are out, Wilde’s play reveals its thorns, and they are aimed directly at the institution of marriage. Despite the happy ending, The Importance of Being Earnest takes a perfectly satirical stance in regards to the institution of marriage. Oscar Wilde takes pleasure in deconstructing the pristine facade built around the concept of marriage by Victorian society, and he is fearless in attacking its conventions. Wilde’s play does not celebrate marriage as the ultimate alliance by love, instead preferring to expose its “unstylish” side stained by hypocrisy and shallowness.
Why, say they are vile and false?” He tells Othello just enough to intrigue him; he does this by asking leading questions, “Did Micheal Cassio when you wooed my lady, know of your love?” Iago exasperates Othello by revealing so little, “I did not think he had been acquainted with her”. This adds to Othello’s jealousy about Desdemona and so he keeps asking more questions about what Iago may know “What dost thou say, Iago? He then wants to no all the details, “I prithee speak to me as to thy thinkings”. Iago is gaining more influence over Othello after this point `as Othello is becoming more trusting of him, Iago is putting himself in a place of knowledge and power. The critic leavis also agrees that Othello has no one to blame but himself for his actions, ‘………………………………………….’.