Much Ado About Nothing Contrasting Characters

Character Contrasts:

Beatrice and Hero: 

Beatrice 

• Older, stronger woman
• Fiercely independent doesn't need a man, her ideal man is a man that doesn't exist. “He who hath a beard is more than a youth and he who hath no beard is less than a man, and he who is more than a youth is not for me and he who is less than a man, I am not for him”
• Ready to challenge attitudes of a male-dominated society. “I would not he should do me, lest I should prove the mother of fools ”
• Not afraid to stand up to men “It’s a man’s office, but not yours” (to Benedick)
• Has fewer family ties, in an unconventional character that is very strong minded.

Hero

• Young, romantic, idealistic woman
• Passive, patient. Ready to marry whoever her father wishes. As a young girl, she is ignored by Leonato, over Claudio, Don John, Don Pedro - 
• She has very few lines, representing her role in society, she stands back as other debate and plan her future e.g. marriage, rebirth. “I…