Notesale: Turn your study into money

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How does Shakespeare explore the theme of honour in the play?
“he hath wronged his honour in marrying the renowned/ Claudio--whose
estimation do you mightily hold/ up--to a contaminated stale, such a one as
Hero
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This is particularly significant for Claudio, who is of
high status - marrying an impure woman could ruin his future prospects and
put his name in disrepute
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It also reflects how even low-status characters such as Borachio are aware of
this dishonourable act
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” - Semblance is defined as “the outward appearance or
apparent form of something, especially when the reality is different
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It is also ironic, as of course Claudio has been tricked by the semblance of
two lovers, appearing to be Hero and another man
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It also reflects how women were solely judged on how
they presented themselves and that their “sign and semblance” was all they
were worth
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” - Don Pedro’s line here represents the lack of remorse and
mercy felt by those who had harmed a person deemed to be dishonourable or
impure
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The use of “nothing” at the end of a run-on line is ironic as of
course she has been charged with nothing as she is not guilty of this
supposed crime
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“I know not
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” - Leonato
demonstrates how physical violence was used to control women who had
been unchaste, which was not uncommon in the Shakespearean era
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This once again presents honour as a slightly mystical,
all-important force that controlled these characters’ lives
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“I stand dishonour'd, that have gone about/ To link my dear friend to a
common stale
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It also demonstrates the fragility of male
friendship, compared to Beatrice consoling and comforting Hero when she is

publicly shamed
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● “Is he not approved in the height a villain, that/ hath slandered, scorned,
dishonoured my kinswoman?” - the power of three adjectives here reinforces
the anger felt by Beatrice, who can see through the appearance of Hero’s
crime
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g Don John’s trickery and the gulling scenes)
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Beatrice is well aware of how dangerous a loss of honour is, as she herself is
about to commit to a silent, obedient life as Benedick’s wife
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