6.1.2

Key Lines

Test yourself

Claudio

Shakespeare again makes a reference to appearances.

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Key line

  • CLAUDIO: She’s but the sign and semblance of her honour.
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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.
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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.

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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
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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.
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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.

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