¶ … Shakespeare's "Much Ado about Nothing" is a witty comedy. It subscribes to all the conventions of a Shakespeare comedy, being witty in language and plot. It also ends well for all who deserve it, and badly for all those who do not. In "Cressida and Troilus" however, both the plot and theme seem somewhat dark for a comedy. However, this play has been classified as one of Shakespeare's comedies. It is doubtful however that it is one of his wittiest, or indeed in the same category as "Much Ado about Nothing." These two plays will then be compared in terms of character, plot, theme and dramatic structure in order to determine the similarities between the two.
Character
In both plays, three characters drive the main plot. In "Troilus and Cressida," the backdrop of the Trojan War divides the characters into the Trojans and the Greeks. Troilus and Cressida, the unfortunate lovers, are both from Troy. Troilus, the youngest son of King Priam, is hopelessly in love with Cressida, even to the point of blindness. While he can at times see his own faults, he is entirely blind to those of Cressida. Cressida is not at all worthy of Troilus' love. She has many lovers, and even after promising to remain true to Troilus appears to be unable to stop herself from breaking her vows. At the Greek camp, she enters a sexual relationship with the Greek, Diomedes. The third character driving the main action is Pandarus, Cressida's uncle. His role is to live through the often illicit trysts of others, as he is retired and can no longer himself enjoy a sensual lifestyle. For the purpose of the play he then acts as a go-between between Troilus and his niece.
Royalty and war...
Dogberry in "Much Ado About Nothing" In "Much Ado About Nothing," Shakespeare presents a kind of drawing-room comedy, where people's efforts to demonstrate the social graces of the day create all sorts of problems. Beatrice has a sharp tongue but gets away with it because her words are formed in the style of the day. Her cousin Hero, however, is greatly harmed by other people's talk, with her character badly maligned.
Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, Claudio demonstrates an immature attitude toward love and romance. Claudio's initial attraction to Hero is based mostly on physical attraction; he seems to be only slightly interested in her financial status and is not concerned with Benedick's criticism of Leonato's daughter. Unlike Beatrice and Benedick, Claudio and Hero never get to develop a relationship based on respect and friendship. The romance between Claudio and
Gender Roles in Much Ado About Nothing and Trifles Today, gender roles have become far more flexible than as recently as 50 years ago. Women today can enter management positions, have focused careers, and expect salaries on the same level as those of men. Indeed, some women have proved themselves to be as competent, or more so, in leadership positions as men. At the same time, however, women are free to
I.16-17) the line however clearly describes the general behavior of the characters in the play, that "dare do" all kinds of things that provoke fate, without knowing what they do. Don Pedro's wooing of Hero to help Claudio is also significant, as Claudio does not actually needs his help so the offering is superfluous. Even Friar Francis who pretends Hero is dead endangers the happiness of the two, in spite of
Benedick pretended not to know who Benedick was but he was apparently unsuccessful since Beatrice insulted him by calling him 'the prince's jester' among many other insults. Benedick's conversations with Claudio and Don Pedro indicated that he had been very hurt by Beatrice's comments. This provided another clue to his real feelings for Beatrice and his reasons for trying to hide his true from her identity behind the mask.
The surprise of the play, however, lies in the fact that it is not Benedick and Beatrice who have the greatest difficulties finding true love and communicating with one another. Although Claudio takes the posture of a traditional lover, because his feelings for Hero are based more upon an idealized conception of the 'fair sex' rather than reality, he is quick to believe that she has been unfaithful to
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