6.1.1
Summary
Act 4, Scene 1 (Part 1)
Act 4, Scene 1 (Part 1)
The falling action of the play’s main plot descends into tragedy as Claudio publicly rejects Hero at their wedding.
![Illustrative background for Claudio](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/0fede71e-88bc-415d-926d-389a1427d2bf/shutterstock_784717624,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
![Illustrative background for Claudio ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/0fede71e-88bc-415d-926d-389a1427d2bf/shutterstock_784717624,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
Claudio
Claudio
- Claudio’s actions in this scene are deliberate and calculating.
- He has planned what he is going to do and manipulates the beginning of the wedding ceremony to enable him to say to Leonato “Take her [Hero] back again / Give not this rotten orange to your friend.”
![Illustrative background for Virginity](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/038d8268-9ec7-40a6-977e-6fb57ecb4be2/diamond-1475978_1280,h_400,q_80,w_640.png)
![Illustrative background for Virginity ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/038d8268-9ec7-40a6-977e-6fb57ecb4be2/diamond-1475978_1280,h_400,q_80,w_640.png)
Virginity
Virginity
- The metaphor emphasises the value Claudio (and Elizabethan society) placed on a woman’s purity through being a virgin before marriage.
- In believing Don John’s lies over Hero being “everyman’s Hero”, she becomes tainted to Claudio, a “contaminated stale” and he no longer values her as the rich and precious "jewel" of Act 1.
![Illustrative background for Misogynistic language](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-10/f67ca612-d785-48a0-b41d-f10f2b705434/elizabeth-spanish-armada-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
![Illustrative background for Misogynistic language ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-10/f67ca612-d785-48a0-b41d-f10f2b705434/elizabeth-spanish-armada-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
Misogynistic language
Misogynistic language
- The language used by Claudio and Don Pedro is extremely misogynistic (prejudiced against women) reflecting the ideas and attitudes of the period that men were superior in society.
- This is, of course, despite the fact Queen Elizabeth had been on the English throne for almost 40 years when the play was believed to have been written.
![Illustrative background for Messina](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/bb541ff2-ddb9-4f29-9459-709a3736ecf2/autumn-death-graveyard-die-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
![Illustrative background for Messina ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/bb541ff2-ddb9-4f29-9459-709a3736ecf2/autumn-death-graveyard-die-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
Messina
Messina
- The patriarchal (dominated by men) society of Messina is shown as Leonato turns on Hero, also believing the accusations against her.
- After Hero faints, he viciously tells her “Do not live, Hero, do not ope thine eyes”.
![Illustrative background for Leonato](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/0589783e-3422-4295-970a-ae9b9d749613/shutterstock_379587745,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
![Illustrative background for Leonato ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/0589783e-3422-4295-970a-ae9b9d749613/shutterstock_379587745,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
Leonato
Leonato
- Leonato shares the view of Claudio that his daughter is tainted, that “she is fall’n / Into a pit of ink”.
- “Pit” may have connotations of hell and the image that her purity is now stained recalls Claudio’s earlier “rotten orange” insult.
- Leonato is angry that his reputation, more so than Hero’s, has been ruined.
Act 4, Scene 1 (Part 1)
Act 4, Scene 1 (Part 1)
The falling action of the play’s main plot descends into tragedy as Claudio publicly rejects Hero at their wedding.
![Illustrative background for Hope for Hero](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/68ba71f0-742a-44e4-8498-04335643516e/monk-friar-old-religion-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
![Illustrative background for Hope for Hero ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/68ba71f0-742a-44e4-8498-04335643516e/monk-friar-old-religion-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
Hope for Hero
Hope for Hero
- Hope for Hero lies with the Friar who through careful observation (noting) of Hero during Claudio’s defamation of her character is convinced of her innocence.
![Illustrative background for The Friar's plan](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/cf0e50f0-a9cb-4c53-89b8-0158c34e8879/death-coffin-funeral-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
![Illustrative background for The Friar's plan ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/cf0e50f0-a9cb-4c53-89b8-0158c34e8879/death-coffin-funeral-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
The Friar's plan
The Friar's plan
- The Friar advises a conflicted Leonato to announce that Hero died as a result of the accusations made against her and that when he hears of this, Claudio’s loving feelings will return.
![Illustrative background for Deception](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/54c06833-6b3c-471b-a88a-068241d2a7f7/shutterstock_629006642,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
![Illustrative background for Deception ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/54c06833-6b3c-471b-a88a-068241d2a7f7/shutterstock_629006642,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
Deception
Deception
- Significantly, in light of the patriarchal society, the audience do not learn of Hero’s own views regarding this plan.
- She remains the dutiful daughter.
- Once again, deception is used with a benevolent intention.
- This time, it even has the support of a religious figure.
1Key Terminology
1.1Key Terminology
2Structure & Form
3Act 1: Plot Summary
3.2Act 1, Scene 2
3.3Act 1, Scene 3
4Act 2: Plot Summary
4.1Act 2, Scene 1
4.2Act 2, Scene 2
5Act 3: Plot Summary
5.1Act 3, Scene 1
5.2Act 3, Scene 2
5.3Act 3, Scene 3
5.4Act 3, Scene 4
5.5Act 3, Scene 5
6Act 4: Plot Summary
6.1Act 4, Scene 1 (Part 1)
6.2Act 4, Scene 1 (Part 2)
6.3Act 4, Scene 2
7Act 5: Plot Summary
7.1Act 5, Scene 1
7.2Act 5, Scene 2
7.3Act 5, Scene 3
7.4Act 5, Scene 4
Jump to other topics
1Key Terminology
1.1Key Terminology
2Structure & Form
3Act 1: Plot Summary
3.2Act 1, Scene 2
3.3Act 1, Scene 3
4Act 2: Plot Summary
4.1Act 2, Scene 1
4.2Act 2, Scene 2
5Act 3: Plot Summary
5.1Act 3, Scene 1
5.2Act 3, Scene 2
5.3Act 3, Scene 3
5.4Act 3, Scene 4
5.5Act 3, Scene 5
6Act 4: Plot Summary
6.1Act 4, Scene 1 (Part 1)
6.2Act 4, Scene 1 (Part 2)
6.3Act 4, Scene 2
7Act 5: Plot Summary
7.1Act 5, Scene 1
7.2Act 5, Scene 2
7.3Act 5, Scene 3
7.4Act 5, Scene 4
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