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Explore how Shakespeare presents Beatrice as a strong female character
● “Contempt, farewell! And maiden pride, adieu!” - This line highlights how
Beatrice’s place will change when she marries Benedick and that she will
have to become silent, subservient and a good wife, to fit in with society’s
expectations of women at the time
...
The use of “farewell!” and “adieu!” could also be quite
mocking and humorous, as women would become unchaste once married,
meaning that Beatrice could be waving goodbye to her previous life as an
unmarried virgin
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This could imply that Beatrice enjoys her life as an unmarried
woman and the freedom to be “unladylike”, whilst also signifying her ability to
converse easily and amusingly with men
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The
verb “taming” implies that Beatrice needs to be domesticated, whilst the
rhyme of “hand” and band” signifies the anticipation of marriage for her
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The word “traps” implies that
Beatrice is animalistic in her behaviours, once again showing her
unwillingness to accept her status and path in society
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This presents Beatrice as strong-willed and
contrasts Hero, who doesn’t appear to know her own mind
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Birds
are often a symbol of freedom and here Hero could actually be jealous of how
Beatrice is not controlled by Leonato
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● “And I believe it better than reportingly” - this shows how despite Beatrice
being very intelligent and having a “merry war of wits” with Benedick, she is
blind to the fact that she has been gulled
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This response also mirrors Benedick, as in the previous scene he too
believes the trick without question
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This shows how quickly her view of
Benedick has been skewed and her entire morals shift towards being more
traditional and conformist
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This could show her maturity
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She may feel undesirable to men, as very fair skin was one of the ideal
beauty standards during Shakespearean times

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