Beatrice
English Lit: AQA GCSE Much Ado About Nothing, topic 9.1.1
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
- 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
- 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”
- 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
- 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
- BEATRICE: Contempt, farewell! And maiden pride, adieu!
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
- 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
- Beatrice is presented as far less concerned with saving face than Benedick was.
- She simply bids “farewell” to her perceived spiteful character (“contempt”).
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.
Test yourself on Beatrice
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?
Which word highlights Beatrice’s belief in equality between the sexes?