In Much Ado about Nothing, what is the relationship between female power and language - Essay Example

number In Much Ado about Nothing, what is the relationship between female power and language? In this play Shakespeare uses language to bring out the message passed on to the audience. Power of language is used in the comedy. He uses wooing, destroys, and gives bad reputation then he restores honor. Thesis: The play, through Hero’s engagement and repudiation scene, Beatrice’s witty banter with Benedick and the declaration of love scene between Beatrice and Benedick, argues that female power is gained through language. Shakespeare also teaches of the social life and structure. He informs us that there is a gap or conflict between women and men. They do not coexist peacefully at all. In the comedy men treat women differently (Billington 3). Women do not have a position in society. This is seen in the part where a man like Don John who deceives a prince in order to defame the honor of a woman. This indicates or shows the problems in the power status and structure of social co-existence. When the relationship of Beatrice and Benedick is put into consideration in “Much ado” one of the most crucial themes is around gender, roles according to gender and the dissimilarities between women and men. It is sarcastic that a low ranking member of the society is the one who exposes the bad habit of Don John and his coconspirators (Wick 4). Don John is totally different from his fellow Don Pedro and Claudio, who are very protective male. When they are exposed to Leonato we are able to see the male pride of Conrad and Borachio. Shakespeare is able to bring to us the reality that those men of high status in society, and full of pride are the ones who treat women. Through Shakespeare, it is seen that most people who have bad behavior hide in the dark thinking that what they do can never be discovered. They abuse other people in the name of securing their pride. Shakespeare teaches the audience to criticize the language, role, and even the misuse of the Queen’s English. It is therefore leant that, those who bare false witness intentionally to hurt others end up being unhappy, and end up taking measure that are desperate in order to cover their naked bad behavior. This is a lesson that encourages people to be morally upright, and not use their powers to demean others. Another teaching is of being a hero. Beatrice still marries Claudio after wrongfully being accused of cheating. In another way this can be seen as she did not only do it though love, but to restore honor and faithfulness. This is considered as restoring her social status. Social status is also seen when Benedick has to kill Claudio in order to marry Beatrice. He accepts the challenge so as not to be considered a coward. Women are portrayed accurately in the play. There is the covering of stereotypes of women in the play. All the characters that are female have personalities that are widely varied. This helps to avoid the woman from being too humorous or patronizing. A range of different relationships are formed in the play. All this is due to a variety of social prominence and personalities. The base of this relationship is on sexes that are different. This is male and female. There are also other battles like relationships, conflict and deceit. Women are seen to be present in all these themes. Many lines are interpreted in diverse ways that show meaning to reflect what is really happening in society. The female characters who are present in the play are Margaret, Hero, Ursula and Beatrice. All of them have personalities that are different. These personalities differ in one way or another. All of these characters that are female and they do not fit in the society of Shakepeare.They are therefore created to add hilarity, contrast or satire. One of them who does not fit and Shakespeare uses her to maximum is Beatrice. In the first scene of the play ,Beatrice is introduced as a woman who is very clever and humorous. She is known to gamble with words in order to prove her point. She is known to be very argumentative and can never give up until she wins.This shows how women have the power of language.This is protayed in the character of Beatrice. A good example is when a the emissary or messenger gives her the information that Benedick is a lord to a lord, a man to a man, satiated with all virtues that are honorable she replies quickly , that he indeed no less than a man who is stuffed , but for the wadding or stuffing they are all mortal(Brantley 4 ). Her answers that are very quick show that she is a woman who is always ready to speak what is inside her mind no matter the circumstance and consequences of her words. This proves that she is a woman who uses strong language that has words that speak out nothing, but the entire truth. When she speaks her words she will never back down for any squabble. Shakespeare’s audience may have been shocked by this type of character in a woman.This is because in the time the play was created, women had no say over men, and they were considered as citizens who were as second class. It is considered that the use of this character by Shakespeare was to inform the men that some women were greater than men, when it came to handling of matters pertaining society. He also tried to pass the message that men are not supposed to undermine women no matter the cirucmsctance.The role of women in society was being portrayed by Shakespeare. Women should be respected, and should be given a voice in society because they can be more capable than men. Other audiences or critics might take the position and behavior of Beatrice, as a joke made by Shakeapear.He was may be trying to be humorous in his play. That was why he came up with the character of Beatrice who was witty and naughty in her words. The relationship of Beatrice and Benedick is a constant battle of words (Shakespeare 18). They both try to outsmart each other with words. At the beginning they scorn each other, but they get fond of one another as the paly continues. This is after rumor of the others love begins to spread. The other side of Beatrice is full of sorrow. She is not very happy as she looks. This is seen in Act 3 scene 1, when she overheard hero and Ursula talking about her. She feels sad, but she pretends to be strong. The use of language by Beatrice and her feminine trickeries make her get what she desires for. This is when Benedict declares that he loves her, she commands him to kill Claudio. She knows that is impossible, but she sticks to her request to her advantage. Shakespeare is a male character, but his arguments are not which make males to win. In various cases the male characters are outwitted by women characters. This might have been his decision of the play mainly because he wants to be humorous or he was trying to say that not all women need to be treated as second class populaces. In the play the relationship of men and women is more varied. It is obvious that the relationship of Hero and Claudio is major factor in the play, and it is fairly tempestuous. All liars at the end of the play are ashamed as the couples marry. The audiences are also made aware that one of the major reasons that make Claudio to marry hero is because of her fortune. The relationship of Beatrice and Benedick is also stormy. It is hinted by them that there is more of their competitive language. This is seen in (Shakespeare Act 2, Scene 1) at the ball when Beatrice and Don Pedro talk. Nevertheless, neither Beatrice nor Benedick intricate on this appraisal, and so mystery is added, thus the audience marvel what exactly happened amid them. Therefore female language brings portrays female language, and this give them a position in society. Annotated Bibliography Billington, Michael. Much Ado about NothingReview.Chicago.Journal in society. 23 (1978): 345-357 In this journal, Billington discusses about the play. Shakespeare talks about the social life and structure. He informs us of the gap of conflict between women and men. How men and women do not coexist peacefully. Men give bad treatment to women. Brantley, Ben. London Theater Journal: A ‘Much Ado’ With Dr. Who. Taylor Roger. New York: Harcourt and Brace, 1998. 123-134 Brantley brings out the place of a woman in society; he brings out Beatrice as a woman who is ready to stand out and protest. Her answers show that she is a woman who is always ready to speak what is inside her mind no matter the circumstance and consequences of her words. Shakespeare, William .Much Ado about Nothing. New York: Plain Label Books2011.Print Shakespeare has created characters that are in conflict. They live in the same society, but they are not at peace. Through the play, Shakespeare uses his plays to pass a message to the society he lives in. Wick, Prest. Much Ado About Nothing Response Journal. Journal of women 23 (1978): 345-357. Wick brings out the place of women in society. The author says that women have a right in this world just like anyone. She emphasizes that women should be have the same opportunities like men. This is because they are all human beings. Read More