4.1.2

Key Lines

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Beatrice

BEATRICE: Not until God make men of some other metal than earth. Would it not grieve a woman to be overmastered with a piece of valiant dust?

Biblical imagery

Biblical imagery

  • Here, Beatrice uses Biblical imagery and the idea that God created Adam from the earth to question the idea that men are viewed in society as superior to women.
__“valiant”__

“valiant”

  • The use of the adjective “valiant” is ironic - particularly in light of the way Claudio (a brave, courageous - “valiant” soldier) treats Hero in this scene when he wrongly believes Don John’s lies.
Equality of the sexes

Equality of the sexes

  • The verb “overmastered” highlights Beatrice’s (and possibly Shakespeare’s) belief in equality between the sexes: one should not outrank the other.

Claudio

CLAUDIO: Tis certain so. The Prince woos for himself [...] beauty is a witch.

Key line

Key line

  • CLAUDIO: Tis certain so. The Prince woos for himself [...] beauty is a witch.
Definitive language

Definitive language

  • Claudio’s language here is definitive (“Tis certain”) showing just how easily he can be manipulated by Don John.
Social standing of women

Social standing of women

  • It also reflects the inferior social standing of women at the time as even the illegitimate Don John (with whom Claudio was at war not so long ago) is believed over Hero.
Deception and appearances

Deception and appearances

  • The use of the metaphor “Beauty is a witch” relates again to the theme of deception and appearances.
  • Claudio feels he has been duped by Hero’s attractiveness, as though she has lured him by casting a spell over him.
Witchcraft

Witchcraft

  • The misogyny of a patriarchal society is no better illustrated through the persecution of women who were accused of witchcraft in the 16th and 17th century.
  • Many innocent victims were burned at the stake, drowned or stoned to death simply because they were accused of being witches and were unable to provide evidence to the contrary.
Jump to other topics
1

Key Terminology

1.1

Key Terminology

1.1.1Key Terminology1.1.2End of Topic Test - Key Terminology
2

Structure & Form

2.1

Structure

2.1.1Structure2.1.2Acts 1 - 32.1.3Acts 4 - 5
2.2

Form

2.2.1Tragicomedy2.2.2End of Topic Test - Structure & Form
3

Act 1: Plot Summary

3.1

Act 1, Scene 1

3.1.1Summary3.1.2Key Lines3.1.3Key Lines 23.1.4End of Topic Test - Act 1, Scene 1
3.2

Act 1, Scene 2

3.2.1Summary3.2.2Key Lines
3.3

Act 1, Scene 3

3.3.1Summary3.3.2Key Lines3.3.3End of Topic Test - Act 1, Scenes 2-3
4

Act 2: Plot Summary

4.1

Act 2, Scene 1

4.1.1Summary4.1.2Key Lines4.1.3Key Lines 24.1.4Key Lines 34.1.5End of Topic Test - Act 2, Scene 1
4.2

Act 2, Scene 2

4.2.1Summary
4.3

Act 2, Scene 3

4.3.1Summary4.3.2Key Lines4.3.3Key Lines 24.3.4End of Topic Test - Act 2, Scenes 2-3
5

Act 3: Plot Summary

5.1

Act 3, Scene 1

5.1.1Summary5.1.2Key Lines
5.2

Act 3, Scene 2

5.2.1Summary5.2.2Key Lines
5.3

Act 3, Scene 3

5.3.1Summary
5.4

Act 3, Scene 4

5.4.1Summary
5.5

Act 3, Scene 5

5.5.1Summary5.5.2End of Topic Test - Act 3
6

Act 4: Plot Summary

6.1

Act 4, Scene 1 (Part 1)

6.1.1Summary6.1.2Key Lines6.1.3Key Lines 2
6.2

Act 4, Scene 1 (Part 2)

6.2.1Summary6.2.2Key Lines6.2.3Key Lines 2
6.3

Act 4, Scene 2

6.3.1Summary6.3.2End of Topic Test - Act 4
7

Act 5: Plot Summary

7.1

Act 5, Scene 1

7.1.1Summary
7.2

Act 5, Scene 2

7.2.1Summary7.2.2Key Lines
7.3

Act 5, Scene 3

7.3.1Summary
7.4

Act 5, Scene 4

7.4.1Summary7.4.2End of Topic Test - Act 5
8

Key Themes

8.1

Key Themes

8.1.1Love & Marriage8.1.2Deception, Appearances & Noting8.1.3Gender8.1.4Reputation8.1.5End of Topic Test - Key Themes
9

Recap: Main Quotes

9.1

Characters Quotes

9.1.1Beatrice9.1.2Beatrice 29.1.3Benedick 19.1.4Benedick 29.1.5Benedick 39.1.6Benedick 49.1.7Benedick 59.1.8Beatrice & Benedick9.1.9Beatrice & Benedick 29.1.10Beatrice & Benedick 39.1.11Claudio9.1.12Claudio 29.1.13Claudio & Benedick9.1.14Don John9.1.15Don John 29.1.16Don Pedro9.1.17Hero9.1.18Leonato9.1.19Leonato & Messanger
9.2

Text Structure - Quotes

9.2.1Deception, Appearances & Noting9.2.2Gender9.2.3Reputation

Practice questions on Key Lines

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  1. 1
    Act 2, Scene 1: __BEATRICE: Not until God make men of some other metal than earth. Would it not grieve a woman to be overmastered with a piece of valiant dust?__<br><br>Which word highlights Beatrice’s belief in equality between the sexes?Multiple choice
  2. 2
    In Act 2, Scene 1 what does Claudio claim "beauty is"?Multiple choice
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Summary

Key Lines 2