Much Ado About Nothing
.... We first see Claudio doubting, or underestimating Hero in Act III scene ii . Don John tells both Claudio and Don Pedro that Hero is disloyal. Claudio and Don Pedro take his word, even though Don John has a long history of treachery and dishonesty. This shows Claudio’s feelings, and trust towards women. He is more willing to trust Don John, a criminal, than Hero. Who is the woman he’s going to spend the rest of his life with. He is willing to accept the lie that Hero is a whore. Claudio can totally picture Hero cheating because he sees how attractive she is, and how other guys would like her. Claudio tells the audience that he is almost convinced that Hero has cheated, by saying that he will share her he has already thought up his revenge. (III. ii. 119-121) “ If I see anything tonight why I should not marry her tomorrow in the congregation where I should wed, there will I shame her.” Claudio is convinced that its true that Hero has cheated because he sees her as so desirable. (IV. I. 99-107) “ To turn all beauty with thoughts of harm, and never shall it more be gracious.” However Claudio was not the only character in the play that had pre-conceived negative beliefs towards women. Don Pedro in the early scenes of the play shows his low standards of women when he courts Hero for Claudio. He agrees to help Claudio get a girl who he barely knows to marry him. This shows that Don Pedro is just as superficial as Claudio. Don Pedro encourages Claudio to go after Hero, Because they are a good match. Hero can do a lot for Claudio therefore they are a good match. For instance Don Pedro informs Claudio that Hero is sole heir to Leonato, and that he would receive a really good inheritance. Don Pedro does is not concerned if Claudio is in love with Hero. He knows he’s not, because they just met. However he thinks that they are a good match and that’s enough. Don Pedro shows his distrust in woman also when he believes his brother Don John. Even though Don John is Don Pedro’s brother, they did not get along very well. Don John is very jealous of Don Pedro because he had done so well in the war. Don Pedro knew that his brother was an evil person who had long history of tendency. However Don Pedro still believed Don John a criminal over Hero. Don Pedro more than any one knew his brother was evil, yet he still believed him before a woman. This is a perfect example of how Don Pedro’s opinion of woman was so low. Not only does Don Pedro hold such a low opinion of woman, but once Hero is found to be innocent, Don Pedro does not want to take any of the blame for accusing Hero. Don Pedro puts all the blame on Don John and Claudio. He is willing to let Don John to take full responsibility for the false accusation of Hero. This shows the audience how irresponsible Don Pedro is. When Leonato informs Don Pedro and Claudio of hero’s innocence and of her death in scene V, Don Pedro puts the blame on Claudio. (V. i. 245) “Runs not this speech like iron through your blood .” He says this , as if he had nothing to do with it. Just like Claudio, Don Pedro’s actions in the early scenes towards Hero is just a reflection of his attitude about women. Yet, not only did Claudio, and Don Pedro show negative feeling about woman, but also Leonato, Hero’s own father. We get a sense fairly early on that Leoanato is just as superficial and asinine as Claudio and Don Pedro. Leonato gives Claudio his blessing to marry his daughter right off even though Claudio and Hero barely talk. He too, is not concerned whether or not Claudio loves his daughter. He informs Claudio immediately that Hero is sole heir to him. Leonato wants Claudio in the family, because he is a well respected Prince, and it will make Leonato look good if his daughter marries a brave soldier. Leonato is only interested in what Hero can bring him. He uses his own daughter to try to make himself look better, to improve the status of the family. In the church scene (IV. I.) in which Claudio publicly shames Hero, all the negative pre-conceived ideas which Claudio, Don Pedro, and Leonato have, which they have shown little hints of in earlier scenes, all come out in this scene. They show that they are true believers in Misogyny. Claudio has planned this shamming of Hero since the night before, it seems like he’s always been ready to shame Hero as a whore. Claudio is disgusted, he shows his anger in his language towards Hero. (IV. I 37-43) “Comes not that blood, as modest evidence, to witness simple virtue? Would you not swear, All you that see her, that she were a maid, By these exterior shows? But she is none. She knows the heat of luxurious bed; Her blush is guiltiness, not modesty.” Claudio is so strong with his words to accuse Hero, however when he finds out about her innocence he is quick to blame it on Don John. He puts all the blame on Don John and Borachio for tricking him. (V. i. 272) “Yet sinne...