I'm writing this essay for English, analyzing the character Hero. Need it for tomorrow so it would be great if you guys could review fast. Thanks!
False Expectations
"It is the preoccupation with possessions, more than anything else that prevents us from living freely and nobly." (Bertrand Russell) In the satirical play Much Ado About Nothing, Shakespeare uses the character Hero to criticize society and the role and expectations of women as well as society's inner superficiality and materialism.
The first criticism Shakespeare has on society is the role of women, especially their unconditional obedience. The age-old saying "women should be seen and not heard" perfectly describes how they are expected to behave in Shakespeare's time: dependent and barred from making even the most important decisions of their lives, even marriage. Antonio tells Hero that he, "trusts [she] will be ruled by [her] father." (II.i.41-43) The expectation for women is perfectly captured in this quote. Antonio "trusts" that Hero will be ruled by her father. Not hope, wishes, wants, etc, but he trusts that she will. When someone trusts that you will do something, they have confidence that you will do it. Because the standards for women in this society are that they have perfect obedience, he naturally expects that Hero will obey and be ruled by her father. Afterwards Leonato, her father tells her "if the prince do solicit you in that kind, you know your answer," (II.i.54-57) she has no objection. Even though she loves Claudio at this point, she readily agrees to go along with it if Don Pedro flirts with her. Not only does this further prove Shakespeare's earlier point of the superficiality and materialism of people, it also gives readers a glimpse of a society where women are expected to be completely obedient and dependent to their fathers and husbands. The lack of reaction means that while she would rather be with Claudio than Don Pedro, she is too obedient to argue. Rather, in both cases she remains seen, but not heard. Later, in the garden where Hero is, along with Ursula, attempting to make Beatrice and Benedick fall in love with each other. Not even for one second does Hero even consider if what she's doing is morally correct. They are essentially manipulating two people into falling on love and marrying each other for their own amusement and mirth. When questioned on whether Benedick and Beatrice do truly love each other, Hero simply responds with, "so says the prince and my new-troth lord." (III.i.39) She blindly believes Claudio and Don John when they tell her Beatrice and Benedick love each other; even though she can clearly see that they are attempting to trick Beatrice into thinking Benedick loves her. Raised to never question an order from her father or husband, she doesn't even think twice about the fact that they are meddling in the lives of two people, forcing them into a potentially unhealthy and ultimately false relationship. However, this society has taken away her independence, her ability to think for herself, and she is left but an extension of her father and soon-to-be-husband's will. Shakespeare uses the utter lack of independence and blind obedience of Hero to criticize society's restricting expectations on women.
Another important criticism Shakespeare makes is how society is superficial and materialistic through the actions and words of Hero, an ideal young woman in their standards, who is modest and obedient, yet in part because of society's expectations of women, caught up in society's flaws of superficiality and materialism. Claudio, Hero's lover sends Hero a pair of scented gloves as a sign of his affection. In Elizabethan times, gloves were a luxury worn only by the nobility; expensive, handcrafted and elegant, a pair of gloves would have cost Claudio quite a sum of money. Upon receiving this priceless expression of his love, Hero dismissively concludes that "these gloves [Claudio] had sent [her]... are an excellent perfume." (III.iv.49-51) She puts no thought into Claudio's love for her that inspired him to gift her the gloves; rather she is happy she has another accessory of clothing to further enhance her looks and desirability. This type of materialism blinds Hero from pursuing true love; rather, she is content with a husband who would lavish her with gifts and riches. A few scenes back, Hero and Ursula are taking a walk through the garden of Hero's father, Leonato. At the end of the scene, Hero invites Ursula to come, where "[Hero] will show [Ursula] some attires, and have [her] counsel which the best to furnish [Hero] tomorrow." (III.ii.104-106) Hero wants Ursula to critique her dresses because tomorrow is her wedding with Claudio, and she wants to look her best. While it may seem that she simply wants to present her best possible self during the wedding, it soon becomes clear that to Hero, looks are the most integral part of the wedding and, in extension, her marriage. Because society wants women to look pretty and be present but completely dependent on their fathers and husbands, most women, Hero included, care only about their outside looks. In another example, during the party, she comes face to face with Don Pedro. Both are masked, but before the discussion can get serious, Hero wishes that "[Don Pedro's] visor should be thatched." Before she can consider him as a candidate for her marriage, she needs to see if he meets her criteria of looks and wealth. Hero's ultimate standard in people is how attractive they are and how much money they have; everything else is secondary. Their level of devotion, personality and kindness are second priority. Again, being raised in a society that teaches her that she only needs to look pretty and marry a rich and high-born man has reduced Hero to little more than a shallow young woman who only looks skin deep. Through Hero, Shakespeare charges society of being driven by looks, money and status, putting what is truly important behind.
Through Much Ado About Nothing Shakespeare has presented a social commentary that is still relevant to this day; materialism and superficiality still dominate society and women usually still take on lesser roles than men. Taking a look through human history, it is blatantly obvious that these negative aspects of human nature have always dominated society and perhaps is even stronger today than ever. The only question left is: will this empty cycle of materialism ever end?
False Expectations
"It is the preoccupation with possessions, more than anything else that prevents us from living freely and nobly." (Bertrand Russell) In the satirical play Much Ado About Nothing, Shakespeare uses the character Hero to criticize society and the role and expectations of women as well as society's inner superficiality and materialism.
The first criticism Shakespeare has on society is the role of women, especially their unconditional obedience. The age-old saying "women should be seen and not heard" perfectly describes how they are expected to behave in Shakespeare's time: dependent and barred from making even the most important decisions of their lives, even marriage. Antonio tells Hero that he, "trusts [she] will be ruled by [her] father." (II.i.41-43) The expectation for women is perfectly captured in this quote. Antonio "trusts" that Hero will be ruled by her father. Not hope, wishes, wants, etc, but he trusts that she will. When someone trusts that you will do something, they have confidence that you will do it. Because the standards for women in this society are that they have perfect obedience, he naturally expects that Hero will obey and be ruled by her father. Afterwards Leonato, her father tells her "if the prince do solicit you in that kind, you know your answer," (II.i.54-57) she has no objection. Even though she loves Claudio at this point, she readily agrees to go along with it if Don Pedro flirts with her. Not only does this further prove Shakespeare's earlier point of the superficiality and materialism of people, it also gives readers a glimpse of a society where women are expected to be completely obedient and dependent to their fathers and husbands. The lack of reaction means that while she would rather be with Claudio than Don Pedro, she is too obedient to argue. Rather, in both cases she remains seen, but not heard. Later, in the garden where Hero is, along with Ursula, attempting to make Beatrice and Benedick fall in love with each other. Not even for one second does Hero even consider if what she's doing is morally correct. They are essentially manipulating two people into falling on love and marrying each other for their own amusement and mirth. When questioned on whether Benedick and Beatrice do truly love each other, Hero simply responds with, "so says the prince and my new-troth lord." (III.i.39) She blindly believes Claudio and Don John when they tell her Beatrice and Benedick love each other; even though she can clearly see that they are attempting to trick Beatrice into thinking Benedick loves her. Raised to never question an order from her father or husband, she doesn't even think twice about the fact that they are meddling in the lives of two people, forcing them into a potentially unhealthy and ultimately false relationship. However, this society has taken away her independence, her ability to think for herself, and she is left but an extension of her father and soon-to-be-husband's will. Shakespeare uses the utter lack of independence and blind obedience of Hero to criticize society's restricting expectations on women.
Another important criticism Shakespeare makes is how society is superficial and materialistic through the actions and words of Hero, an ideal young woman in their standards, who is modest and obedient, yet in part because of society's expectations of women, caught up in society's flaws of superficiality and materialism. Claudio, Hero's lover sends Hero a pair of scented gloves as a sign of his affection. In Elizabethan times, gloves were a luxury worn only by the nobility; expensive, handcrafted and elegant, a pair of gloves would have cost Claudio quite a sum of money. Upon receiving this priceless expression of his love, Hero dismissively concludes that "these gloves [Claudio] had sent [her]... are an excellent perfume." (III.iv.49-51) She puts no thought into Claudio's love for her that inspired him to gift her the gloves; rather she is happy she has another accessory of clothing to further enhance her looks and desirability. This type of materialism blinds Hero from pursuing true love; rather, she is content with a husband who would lavish her with gifts and riches. A few scenes back, Hero and Ursula are taking a walk through the garden of Hero's father, Leonato. At the end of the scene, Hero invites Ursula to come, where "[Hero] will show [Ursula] some attires, and have [her] counsel which the best to furnish [Hero] tomorrow." (III.ii.104-106) Hero wants Ursula to critique her dresses because tomorrow is her wedding with Claudio, and she wants to look her best. While it may seem that she simply wants to present her best possible self during the wedding, it soon becomes clear that to Hero, looks are the most integral part of the wedding and, in extension, her marriage. Because society wants women to look pretty and be present but completely dependent on their fathers and husbands, most women, Hero included, care only about their outside looks. In another example, during the party, she comes face to face with Don Pedro. Both are masked, but before the discussion can get serious, Hero wishes that "[Don Pedro's] visor should be thatched." Before she can consider him as a candidate for her marriage, she needs to see if he meets her criteria of looks and wealth. Hero's ultimate standard in people is how attractive they are and how much money they have; everything else is secondary. Their level of devotion, personality and kindness are second priority. Again, being raised in a society that teaches her that she only needs to look pretty and marry a rich and high-born man has reduced Hero to little more than a shallow young woman who only looks skin deep. Through Hero, Shakespeare charges society of being driven by looks, money and status, putting what is truly important behind.
Through Much Ado About Nothing Shakespeare has presented a social commentary that is still relevant to this day; materialism and superficiality still dominate society and women usually still take on lesser roles than men. Taking a look through human history, it is blatantly obvious that these negative aspects of human nature have always dominated society and perhaps is even stronger today than ever. The only question left is: will this empty cycle of materialism ever end?
