Much ado about nothing

Question 1

“merry war…skirmish of wits” - Act , Leonato talking about Beatrice and Benedick

Answer 1

The oxymoron of “merry war” illustrates the battle of wits between the pair and converts the romantic and conflicting relationship. The noun ‘wits’ highlights the intelligence of both characters which suggests Shakepeare is hinting at equality in the relationship. Stating that Beatrice possesses ‘wit’ shows she is an unconventional elizabethan woman.

Question 2

“What, my dear Lady Disdain! Are you yet living?” - Act 1, Benedick

Answer 2

Said in a sarcastic tone as he is ridiculing Beatrice. The connotation of the word ‘disdain’ offers the idea that Beatrice is the meaning of unworthiness and everything negative. There is a contrast between the two words ‘Lady’ and ‘disdain’ as a lady you look up to and admire whereas ‘disdain’ suggests the opposite idea. Through Benedick asking if she is ‘yet living’ suggests he has no care for her existence and can reflects the misogynists attitudes of that period

Question 3

“I am loved of all ladies, only you excepted.” -Act 1, Benedick

Answer 3

The personal pronoun ‘I’ conveys Benedicks self-absorbed nature which reflects his huge transition at the end of the play. The term ‘only’ offers the idea that Beatrice is the only woman that Benedick can not have due to her unconventional nature

Question 4

“I had rather hear my dog bark at a crow, than a man swear he loves me “ -Act 1, Beatrice

Answer 4

Hyperbole reflects how stubborn Beatrice’s opinions are which ultimately mocks the stereotypical way of life for the elizabethan upper class. The antithesis portrays the conflict between the two

Question 5

“A bird of my tongue is better than a beast of yours” -Act 1, Beatrice (in response to ‘you are a rare parrot-teacher’)

Answer 5

The alliteration of the sound ‘B’ is aggressive sounding and can reflect the power of her character allows us to think about how she is overcoming societal standards. The animal imagery allows us to draw distinct contrasts between the two animals. The noun ‘bird’ has connotations of elegance and gracefulness and sound much more intelligent than the noun ‘Beast’ which holds connotations of a feral and mindless individuals (Benedick). Wittiness of Beatrice shows the unfamiliarity of her character in the elizabethan period

Question 6

“Recheat winded on my forehead” - Act 1, Benedick

Answer 6

Metaphor is a symbol of masculinity as the noun reheat is a hunting horn sound which and resemble mens nature which has now been belittled by women who have turned it into the cuckhold horns as it is placed on the forehead. The cuckhold is a reference to women lack of morals and untrutworthiness

Question 7

“Hang my bugle in an invisible baldrick” -Act 1, Benedick

Answer 7

The nouns ‘bugle’ and ‘baldrick’ both connect the audience to the essence of power that men hold in Elizabethan society however their power is undermined by the adjective ‘invisible’ which reflects their masculinity as something non- existing, ultimately this metaphor is used to represent Benedicks insecure nature when it comes to his manhood

Question 8

“In time the savage bull doth bear the yoke” -Act 1, Don Pedro

Answer 8

Use of Iambic pentameter (used in serious situations by serious characters) presents that even the most savage animals can be tamed, meaning Benedick can be tamed by love. A ‘yoke’ is restrictive and usually out on savage animals but can also be a burden.

Question 9

“Conceived me” “brought me up” -Act 1, Benedick

Answer 9

Depicts the common viewpoint of women role in society, the verb conceived lacks emotion meaning Benedick may not feel grateful for the role women offer even to birth him and that their only function is to populate the world. When speaking about women he has very dull perception of them, no romantic ideology

Question 10

“Would you buy her” -Act 1, Benedick

Answer 10

This quote belittles Hero’s entire being down to an object. The verb ‘buy’ conveys the attitudes towards women, conversing about hero as if she is something they can buy or sell.

Question 11

“Can the world buy such a jewel” -Act 1, Claudio

Answer 11

The noun ‘jewel’ has a double meaning. One way that the noun ‘jewel’ can be interpreted is that it has connotations with an objects that is luxurious, beautiful, delicate and has mass value, priceless. However, it could also imply that Hero is an article of materialism and is being objectified. Rhetorical question could reflect the lust Claudio possesses.

Question 12

“Yea, and a case to put it into.” -Act 1, Benedick

Answer 12

This metaphor can display the controlling and extremely possessive nature of the men in that era. The noun ‘case’ is often referred to something trapping an object. It is very blunt perhaps revealing his harmful views towards the function of women and marriage

Question 13

“Exceed her in beauty as much as the first of may doth the last of December” -Act 1, Benedick

Answer 13

Benedict’s imagery elevate Beatrice’s beauty above Hero. This can presents men’s changing attitudes to women and marriages. This similes compares Beatrice to the first day of summer (natural beauty). May and December also juxtapose each other as the first of may a beautiful day, contrasts with the cold, dullness of winter. This seasonal imagery connotates with a sense of beauty and freedom perhaps hinting at Beatrice’s wild nature.
Through Benedicks attraction to Beatrice (unconventional) Shakespeare is celebrating strong powerful women.

Question 14

“I am a plain dealing villain” -Act 1, Don John

Answer 14

Blunt language reflects his pride in who he is and that he is not ashamed as he would rather be a villain than anything else. The punctuation and bluntness of the sentence may also suggest that there was a lack of opportunity for a ‘bastard’ in those days. The adjective plain-dealing’ deepens the plot of the story as it adds tension using Don John as a dramatic device.

Question 15

“I had rather be a canker in a hedge than a rose in his grace”- Act 1, Don John

Answer 15

This natural imagery is a contrast as the rose is restricted however the canker has grow in the wild. The noun ‘canker’ has connotations of something diseased from original state, linking to him being a bastard. It is also a metaphor illustrating Don Johns desire to be free. He also uses sarcasm here as he does not respect Don Pedro, therefore he would not respect ‘his grace’.

Question 16

‘Muzzle…cage…clog…bite”- Act 1, Don John

Answer 16

These metaphors suggest that Don john may feel restricted, trapped and frustrated. Semantic field reveals Don Johns anger at his limitations due to his bastard status. The animal imagery implies Don John is treated as less than human due reputation. The words ‘muzzle’ and ‘cage’ evoke images of restrained violent animals, dehumanising him. The verb ‘bite’ reveals his desire to inflict harm on others and reinforces to Elizabethan fear of bastards.

Question 17

‘Niece, I trust you will be ruled by your father’- Act 2, Antonio to Hero

Answer 17

Formal address of ‘Niece’ reinforces her inferior role in the patriarchal society and how men were dominant. The verb ‘ruled’ connotes complete control.

Question 18

‘Niece, I hope to see you one day fitted with a husband’- Act 2, Leonato to Beatrice

Answer 18

The formal address of ‘niece’ reinforces her inferior role in the patriarchal society. The verb ‘fitted’ connotes restrictions or restrain. This also reinforces the submissive role of an elizabethan women (made to marry and childbearing)

Question 19

‘Would it not grieve a woman to be overmastered with a piece of valiant dust?’- Act 2, Beatrice

Answer 19

The metaphor suggests that Beatrice is ridiculing the common elizabethan ideas of masculinity and chivalry through the oxymoron ‘valiant dust’. The adjective ‘valiant’ connotes bravery which is comical with the image of a piece of dust. The verb ‘overmastered’ connotes control, dominance and superiority which reveals Beatrice’s frustration at Elizabethan society. Biblical allusion may be a way that Shakespeare criticises the church’s traditions that promote derogatory attitudes to women

Question 20

‘Daughter, remember what I told you … you know your answer’- Act 2, Leonato to Hero

Answer 20

The personal pronoun ‘I’ heightens Leonato’s authority and makes it clear that he is the one who makes the decisions. The pronouns of ‘you’ and ‘your’ emphasises the way in which Leonato dictates and controls his daughter.
Formal adress ‘Daughter’ reinforces Hero’s submissive role to Leonato’s authority due to the patriarchal society. Mirrors the limited role of women in society and how they were ruled by their fathers and husbands

Question 21

‘Any bar, any cross, any impediment will be medicinable to me’- Act 2, Don John

Answer 21

The metaphor of ‘medicinable’ has typical imagery of health but his ‘medicine’ is the pain of others, it is clear that disorder and damage sustains Don John’s character. The repetition of the adjective ‘any’ emphasises how desperate he is to cause disorder also emphasises his lack of boundaries. The nouns ‘bar’ ‘cross’ and ‘impediment’ are all semantic field of obstruction creating a sense of lack of growth which seemingly suggests that Don Johns villainy is used as a tool to prevent growth of others. Bastard with no social growth, sour?

Question 22

‘Proof enough, to misuse the prince, to vex Claudio, to undo hero, and kill Leonato’- Act 2, Don John

Answer 22

The metaphor ‘undo Hero’ highlights how the reputation of a woman was fragile and was soley based on her chastity. The verb ‘undo’ meaning take apart reflects Don Johns want to damage Hero’s reputation. The vulgar verbs ‘vex’ ‘undo’ ‘kill’ ‘misuse’ are all semantic field of destruction and all reveal the consequences, the lack of emotion and boundaries reflects the mischief that Don John is willing to attempt. The verbs progress in severity linking to the progression of destruction.

Question 23

‘What life is in that to be the death of his marriage’-Act 2, Don John

Answer 23

The personification presents marriage as an object to be destroyed. The noun ‘death’ presents a sense of finality, reflecting how serious he is about the plan. Don John may want to destroy marriage as created his bastard status. Marriage in Elizabethan times would be a tool for power and enrichment, symbolising everything that Don John cannot have.

Question 24

‘I will not be sworn, but love may transform me to an oyster’-Act 2, Benedick

Answer 24

The metaphor ‘oyster’ refers to isolation as they are closed and have a hard shell. The noun ‘oyster’ were viewed as the lowest common being referring to Benedicks view about marriage being restrictive. The verb ‘transform’ may reinforce Benedicks idea about how marriage will change you negatively. oysters also contain pearls which could suggest to the audience that there is a small possibility to him falling in love after his shell is pried open.

Question 25

‘happy are they that hear their detractions and can put them to mending’- Act 2, Benedick

Answer 25

The noun ‘detractions’ reflects the flaws Benedick recognises in himself, suggesting that Shakespeare believes the mysoginsitic attitude of males is wrong. The verb ‘mending’ evokes a sense of improvement and healing- power of love? The semantic field of repair converts Benedicks attitude to repair himself, his attitude towards some and love. This is a quote where Shakespeare celebrates an attitude to women based around love rather than a tool for their reputation.

Question 26

‘I will be horribly in love with her’- Act 2, Benedick about Beatrice

Answer 26

Juxtaposition of Avery ‘horribly’ and abstract noun ‘love’ illustrates both their romantic and conflicting relationship, can also convey how deeply he loves her to the point it pains him. The adverb ‘horribly’ perhaps highlights how he loves her despite of himself. The phrase ‘I will be’ cements Benedicks certainty and determination to love her, a direct contrast from his attitude at the beginning of the play.

Question 27

‘Then loving goes by haps/some cupid kills with arrows, some with traps’- Hero, Act 3

Answer 27

This metaphor highlights Hero’s use of deceit for the promotion of love, Classical allusion. Spoken in iambic pentameter and demonstrates Hero’s intellect and untapped potential, also shows the outwardly spoken personality of Hero when she is not surrounded by men. The rhyming couplet creates a hopeful tone to suggest Beatrice and Benedict will inevitably fall in love with each other.

Question 28

‘Disdain and scorn ride sparkling in her eyes’- Act 3, hero about Beatrice

Answer 28

This metaphor highlights Beatrice’s unconventional, fiery personality juxtaposing the conventional woman. Personification of ‘disdain’ and ‘scorn’ suggest these qualities are deeply imbedded into her character, preventing her from love.

Question 29

‘Therefore let Benedick, like covered fire, consume away in sighs, waste inwardly’ (Hero)
‘What fire is in mine ears?’ (Beatrice) -Act 3

Answer 29

Simile compares Benedick to a fire dying from lack of oxygen, symbol of unrequited love. The metaphor of ‘fire’ is linked to love, passion and desire. The verbal phrase ‘consume away’ and ‘sighs’ offers the idea of death and vulnerability to love lasting unless requited. Beatrice extends the metaphor of fire which highlights how love can infect the most stubborn characters.

Question 30

‘Taming my wild heart’- Act 3, Beatrice

Answer 30

Metaphor highlights how love can transform even those who resist it the most. Animalistic imagery ‘taming’ presents Beatrice as a wild creature, conforming with ideas about an unconventional woman.Romantic imagery conveys the direct transformation from the stubborn and arrogant attitudes towards men at the beginning of the play.

Question 31

‘Rotten orange’- Act 4, Claudio

Answer 31

Metaphor symbolises how Hero has lost her value in they eyes of Elizabethan society and how fragile a woman reputation can be if handled wrongly. The adjective ‘rotten’ suggest she was good but has now lost her value. The noun ‘orange’ is an image of fruit that has a vibrant colour and richness, now ruined as it is rotten.

Question 32

‘She knows the heat of a luxurious bed… approved wanton’- Act 4, Claudio

Answer 32

This metaphor highlights her sinfulness and the noun ‘heat’ connotes ideas of hell and lust also representing his fury. The adjective ‘approved’ shows the importance of reputation suggesting she has lost her worth in they eyes of society

Question 33

‘Printed in her blood’- Act 4, Leonato

Answer 33

The metaphor of ‘printed evokes the permanence of Hero’s actions and the extent of shame and dishonour that she has brought to Leonato. The verb ‘printed’ also connotes the branding showing society unforgiving way of objectifying and dehumanising women and there was very little that a woman could do to defend her honour. The metaphor ‘blood’ creates the idea that it cannot be removed as her humiliation runs through her veins and that it will ruin the bloodline, dishonouring Leonato’s legacy

Question 34

‘Grieved I, I had but one?’- Act 4, Leonato

Answer 34

Through Leonato, Shakespeare highlights the severity of women honour as elizabethan men almost equate it to a loss of life. The metaphorical verb ‘grieved’ connotes a deep mourning of loss that is often linked with death. In this scene, Hero has metaphorically died. Repitition of the personal pronoun ‘I’ perhaps mirrors Leonato’s self centred attitude towards the situation. He has no sense of care for hero, only his reputation.

Question 35

‘Do not live Hero, do not open thine eyes’- Act 4, Leonato

Answer 35

this command shows his humiliation is so great that he would rather his own daughter die (may reflect how his repeat and ties to her are now severed). Now Hero is useless as a wife so is ‘dead’ to Leonato.

Question 36

‘But mine and mine I love and mine I praised/and mine that I was proud on, mine so much’ -Act 4, Leonato

Answer 36

Repetition of possessive pronoun ‘mine’ Shakespeare is putting extreme emphasis nohow Leonato views Hero as property.

Question 37

‘Foul-tainted flesh’- Act 4, Leonato

Answer 37

metaphor evokes a sense of decay and rot of Hero through Leonatos eyes and can reflect the harsh eyes of society. The terms ‘foul’ and ‘tainted’ is semantic field of corruption and degradation. The alliteration depicts the vicious tone of Leonato which reflects his anger as he disowns her. The adjective ‘tainted’ reflects how hero is now broken as a woman in society. The noun ‘flesh’ reflects how badly leonato is hurt as it may suggest that her dishonour is a physical ailment.

Question 38

‘I love you with so much of my heart that none is left to protest’- Act 4, Beatrice

Answer 38

Personification presents how Beatrice’s heart is in complete submission to Benedick and reflects the ultimate power of love. The use of personal pronouns has a feminist prospective as Shakespeare creates a female character falling in love out of her own choice and voice. the verb ‘protest’ has connotations of obstruction and objection. It is against her will and is a contrast to the beginning of the play. She has fallen in love and cannot resist it.

Question 39

‘O God, that I were a man! I would eat his heart in the market place’- Act 4, Beatrice

Answer 39

This is powerful, as Beatrice directly addresses the indifferences in society and how she is inferior. The metaphor reflects Beatrice’s frustration at the limitations of elizabethan women in society. The female perspective allows Shakespeare to explore the devastation caused from female dishonour. dramatic irony serves to accentuate the injustice as the audience are aware of Hero’s innocence. The noun ‘market place evokes an image of a public space, she wants to publicly humiliate Claudio like he did to Hero. The violent imagery reflects how strong Beatrice feelings are and the upset he has caused.

Question 40

‘I cannot be a man with wishing, therefore I will die a woman with grieving’- Act 4, Beatrice

Answer 40

Juxtaposition as Shakespeare presents this strong female as broken and hopeless due to her limitation in society compared to men. Much like Beatrice cannot be a man, women will never hold equality of men in terms of voice, honour and standing. the metaphorical verb ‘grieving’ connotes with deep mourning. Ultimately, Shakespeare appears to be criticising the injustice and double standard in society.

Question 41

‘Kill Claudio’- Act 4, Beatrice

Answer 41

This command highlights her anger at the injustice and presents the death she is willing to go due to her pain. Unconventional as women are usually submissive and would never order a man to do such a thing. Alliteration creates a harsh and aggressive tone mimicking the anger and pain that Beatrice feels. It also evokes a tone of strength. Beatrice wants her words to metaphorically stab Claudio which is an echo to ‘she speaks poniards and every word stabs’. Benedicks acceptance of the request shows his deep love and affection to her and that he would do anything for her and Shakespeare is celebrating relationships built on equality and respect, critiquing courtly love.