9.1.1

Beatrice

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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?

Key line

Key line

  • 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.

Beatrice

Beatrice is quick to accept the ‘truth’ of Benedick's ‘love’ for her.

Key line

Key line

  • BEATRICE: Contempt, farewell! And maiden pride, adieu!
Length of scene

Length of scene

  • Due to being a shorter scene than Act 2, Scene 3, Beatrice is arguably even quicker than Benedick to accept the ‘truth’ of his ‘love’ for her.
Complexity

Complexity

  • There is a double-complexity to this aspect of the trick as the audience know even more than Ursula and Hero and that, by this point, Benedick is indeed “horribly” in love with Beatrice.
Saving face

Saving face

  • Beatrice is presented as far less concerned with saving face than Benedick was.
  • She simply bids “farewell” to her perceived spiteful character (“contempt”).
Interpretations

Interpretations

  • A modern feminist audience may struggle more to accept Beatrice’s dismissal of her pride.
  • However, a Shakespearean audience may associate this abstract noun with the Seven Deadly Sins (Pride, Greed, Gluttony, Wrath, Envy, Sloth and Lust) and view Beatrice’s instant conversion favourably.
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 Beatrice

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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
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End of Topic Test - Key Themes

Beatrice 2