Much Ado About Nothing 2

One scene in the play Much Ado About Nothing especially portrayed a gender stereotype. At Claudio and Hero’s wedding, Claudio announces that Hero is not a maid. Claudio thinks he saw Hero the night before with another man, “What man was he talked with you yesternight /Out at your window betwixt twelve and one? /Now, if you were a maid, answer to this” (IV.1.81-83). He accuses her of an extremely dishonorable action. Upset, Hero responds, “I talked with no man at the hour, my lord” (IV.1.84). The Prince and Don John continue talking of what they saw that night. Leonato is so ashamed of what he hears, “Hath no man’s dagger here a point for me” (IV.1.107). Notice how no one believes Hero. Later Borachio comes forth and admits, “How you/were brought into the orchard and saw me court Margaret in/Hero’s garments, how you disgraced her when you should/marry her” (V.1.201-204). Borachio was the man with “Hero” who was really Margaret. Suddenly The Prince and Claudio believe Borachio over Hero. Claudio shows his belief, “Sweet Hero, now thy image doth appear/In the rare semblance that I loved it first” (V.1.235-236). When Hero tells everyone she is still a maid, they do not believe her. When Borachio admits his mistake, they believe him. Hero told the truth, why didn’t they believe her in the first place? The major stereotype revealed is that men are believed before women. I believe that Shakespeare was attempting to teach the readers a lesson about misjudging others. He was adding more personality to the characters while presenting a general message.