9.2.2

Gender

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Quotations About Gender

Shakespeare predominantly wrote during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, a famously strong female in a patriarchal society, much like Beatrice.

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“Shrew’d of tongue”

  • Messina is clearly dominated by men.
  • Antonio tells Beatrice she will never find a husband if she doesn’t calm her headstrong, independent nature.
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"Tame her wild art"

  • Accepting Benedick’s love for her, Beatrice states she will “tame her wild heart”.
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Beatrice

  • “Would it not grieve a woman to be overmaster’d by a piece o valiant dust?”
    • As the niece of both Leonato and Antonio, Beatrice does not have to comply with the same expectations as her cousin, Hero.
    • She is able to be outspoken, to question the expectations of her own gender.

Jump to other topics

1Key Terminology

2Structure & Form

3Act 1: Plot Summary

4Act 2: Plot Summary

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

7Act 5: Plot Summary

7.1Act 5, Scene 1

7.2Act 5, Scene 2

7.3Act 5, Scene 3

7.4Act 5, Scene 4

8Key Themes

9Recap: Main Quotes

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