6.1.2

Key Lines

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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 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.
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
    In Act 4, Scene 1 which character says __"She’s but the sign and semblance of her honour."__?Multiple choice
  2. 2
    How does Shakespeare convey an angry tone in Claudio’s words in Act 4, Scene 1?Multiple choice
  3. 3
    Claudio’s contrasting references:Fill in the list
  4. 4
    Act 4, Scene 1:Fill in the list
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Summary

Key Lines 2