I beleive that Shakespeare in Much Ado About Nothing intentionally uses stereotypes. The stereotypes add to the comedy. They also, however, teach the audience that stereotypes are often wrong. Usually a charactor defies the stereotype and acomplishes something which teaches the audience a lesson about judging people too quickly
First, Shakespeare illustrates the stereotype that women are unopinionated and will be seduced by anyone. This is the case with Borrachio who beleives that he can seduce Margaret to trick Claudio. He automatically assume she will fall for him and he brags to Don Jon, “I can, at any unseasonable instant of the night, appoint her/to look out at her lady’s chamber window” (II.2.14-15). He assumes that Margaret will just automatically fall for him. In the end Shakespeare defies this stereotype as Borrachio gets arrested and Margaret continues to live happily with Hero and Beatrice.
Second Shakespeare illustrates the stereotype that the poor lower class people are uneducated and are inferior to the upper class. He illustrates this with Dogberry and his poor use of words. For example, Dogberry states, "Nay, that were a punishment too good for them, if they
should have any allegiance in them, being chosen for the Prince's watch. (III.3.4-6). Dogberry's incorrect use of word allegiance shows how Shakespeare is trying to show that the poor are stupid and insignificant. Dogberry defies this however, when he ends up saving the marriage between Hero and Claudio by proving that Hero was innocent. Through these two charactors Shakespeare proves you shouldn't beleive stereotypes and judge people too quickly.
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3 comments:
I agree with your point that Shakespeare uses stereotypes in order to teach us a lesson about society. I love your example about Margaret and Borachio, I hadn't thought of that before, but it is very true! I also agree with your point about Dogberry and the guard, although it is funny, it is almost so ridonkulous that it makes you think the stereotype is riduculous as well.
Hannah,
I totally agree with your point. I also thought your example of who willingly women are seduced was something i hadn't thought of. As well as the temptress women i also loved how you cited examples for Dogberry it was hard to tell what words he was using right and was misunderstanding.
nice job!
I dont know if I agree with your point about Margaret though. She does fall for Borachio as is shown by their little escapade in the chamber window. Clearly she has some love for him (or sex I suppose) and this is never proved wrong. Borachio is arrested at the end of the book but we never here anything about Margaret. She could be crying her heart out for all we know. So maybe, the stereotype is being supported in this case.
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