6.1.2
Key Lines
Claudio
Claudio
Shakespeare again makes a reference to appearances.
Key line
Key line
- CLAUDIO: She’s but the sign and semblance of her honour.
Appearances
Appearances
- To illustrate the poisonous hold Don John’s trick has on Claudio, Shakespeare again makes a reference to appearances.
- Hero merely seems to be virginal and pure on the outside (“semblance”).
- In Claudio’s mind, Hero is tainted and impure - hence the derogatory “rotten orange” metaphor.
Sibilance
Sibilance
- Through the use of sibilance (repeated ‘s’ sounds), Shakespeare conveys an angry tone in Claudio’s words.
- It is almost as if the words are spat out, reflecting the disgust and hatred Claudio feels at this point in the play.
Claudio
Claudio
Claudio compares Hero to two Roman Goddesses: Diana and Venus.
Key line
Key line
- CLAUDIO: You seem to me as Dian in her orb,
As chaste as is the bud ere it be blown
But you are more intemperate in your blood than Venus
Confliction
Confliction
- Claudio’s conflicted feelings towards Hero are reflected in the contrasting references to:
- Diana: Roman Goddess of Chastity (Purity).
- Venus: Roman Goddess of Love and the equivalent to Aphrodite, famous for having many lovers amongst the Gods.
Roman Goddesses
Roman Goddesses
- Furthermore, the reference to these two Roman Goddesses may reflect the unrealistic feelings Claudio always has towards Hero.
- In his mind, she must always be comparable to a deity or even something supernatural (“Beauty is a witch”).
- He is unable to view her simply as she is and must always make a comparison to express his feelings towards her.
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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