I think Hero feels betrayed that Claudio and her father would believe what was said about her, and not trust her. She was upset with them for treating her so terribly and calling her unfaithful even though she was innocent. Beatrice loves her cousin very much, so she tells Benedick to go kill Claudio for ruining Hero's reputation if Benedick wants to prove that he truly loves Beatrice. She figures if the man who brought her so much trouble is no longer around, Hero will start to feel better (which is totally ridiculous). Textual Evidence: (Act 4 Scene 1) BENEDICK Enough, I am engaged. I will challenge him. I will kiss your hand, and so I leave you. By this hand, Claudio shall render me a dear account. As you hear of me, so think of me. Go comfort your cousin. I must say she is dead, and so, farewell.
I'm not exactly sure about which part of the play you're talking about, Mrs. Greene, but I'm assuming you meant while Hero was pretending to be dead.
Hero probably felt horrible that Claudio and her father were so quick to believe bad things about her, and that anyone would accuse her of such things. She must have been angry and depressed, especially at the point when Leonato says that he would rather she died than live so they would not all have to bear her shame. "O Fate, take not away thy heavy hand! Death is the fairest cover for her shame that may be wished for." (Act IV, Scene 1)
Beatrice is kind to and refuses to believe that her cousin would do anything of the sort, and tries to offer as much support as she can. Benedick is on Hero's side originally because Beatrice is, and later Beatrice tells him to prove his love to her by killing Claudio. Benedick ends up challenging her to a duel. Beatrice seems to not think much of men.
Leonato sets up Claudio with Hero again, telling Claudio that she is his niece and that he wants Claudio to marry him to make up for killing Hero. Although I can't believe that Hero would still want to marry him after all that. Hero seems to be very, very gullible and innocent.
I totally agree with you, Breanna; especially the first part about Hero's shame. And I do think that she meant the part where Hero pretends to be dead. So you're probably right.
Personally, I think that Hero felt a little betrayed that Claudio would make such outrageous comments about Hero on her wedding day. If Claudio were a true gentlemen, (which he is not), he wouldn't have said those rude comments in front of Hero. Even though Claudio "claimed" that he saw Hero with another man, but that other shadow he saw could have been Beatrice, or one of Hero's gentlewomen. Hero's friends go to extreme lengths to make Hero recover from all the unfaithfulness at the wedding. Of course, Beatrice, the loving, always caring cousin of Hero, tries to fix everything by herself so she gets the job done right. Apparently, Beatrice now hates Claudio, which is understandable, and all of his close friends. So Beatrice, while talking to Benedick, comes up with this dastardly scheme to kill Claudio so Hero would be happy. I personally don't think that is the best idea, not everything is solved with violence, but Beatrice doesn't care. I like Beatrice, she shows everyone that she sticks with her goal and does anything to complete it. Also, Beatrice wants Benedick to kill Claudio, so this shows how evil and crafty Beatrice is. Pretty much, she will make Benedick kill Claudio and then Benedick will go to jail. It is a win-win situation for Beatrice, Claudio is dead, and Benedick is in jail, she wins. There is one small problem though, Beatrice is apparently in love with Benedick. This one I did not see coming, until Act three. Textual Evidence (Act Four Scene 1) BEATRICE: You have stayed me in a happy hour; I was about to protest I loved you. BENEDICK: And do it with all thy heart. BEATRICE: I love you with so much of my heart that none is left to protest. BENEDICK: Come, bid me do anything for thee. BEATRICE: Kill Claudio. BENEDICK: Ha! Not for the wide world. BEATRICE: You kill me to deny it. Farewell. BENEDICK: Tarry, sweet Beatrice.
Divya Agarwal- Hero feels terrible that the man who brought her up would believe her to be capable of being unfaithful to the man she loves. Initially, she is surprised that Claudio, who was captivated by her looks in an instant, would imagine she is in love with a servant. Claudio and Don Pedro knew that Don John used to be mischievous in the past, yet he had been forgiven. Since Don John has been the one to tell Claudio about Hero being unfaithful, they should have been able to tell Don John was scheming again. Hero and Leonato thought Claudio was joking as he was insulting her, but then he realized it was serious. A person cannot force them self to faint, yet Claudio still believed Hero was no longer a maid. Even though Beatrice appears indifferent, she loves her frail cousin alot. To make Benedick prove his love, she asks him to go kill Claudio for putting her cousin in such a miserable state. When Benedick refuses, Beatrice gets upset. Benedick finally consents, he challenges one of his best friends to a duel. This could potentially ruin a great friendship, yet Benedick is doing it for Beatrice and Hero. Beatrice does this to get revenge on the man who hurt her cousin, and Benedick is doing it to prove his love to Beatrice. Textual Evidence Act 4 Scene 1 Beatrice- Kill Claudio. Beatrice- Sweet Hero, she is wronged, she is slandered, she is undone.
Austin, I completely agree with the fact that killing Claudio will not make Hero feel any better. In fact, that may make her feel worse because she won't be able to prove that she is faithful to him. He would have died thinking her not a maid.
Breanna, I agree with you. That was very wrong of Leonato to accuse the daughter he brought up with love. He should have listened to what she was saying before saying he would prefer her dead.
Austin, you said that Beatrice is crafty and evil? Also that she was trying to send Benedick to jail? That would make sense if she DID hate Benedick. But like you said, you didn't know that they actually loved each other till later. Even if she still hated Benedick, I don't think she would take those extreme measures to actually make him go to jail. I mean, if they did hate each other, it would be more like on a cat and dog level of hatred. They wouldn't try to get revenge on each other, but they would never get along.
Hero feel surprised, she is utterly confused! How could she, the innocent Hero be convicted of such a vile act?! If i were in here position I would feel the same! How could her own father think that she could have done an unspeakable act. She was always the innocent little girl of the family. If anyone was to suspected I would think Beatrice, because she comes across as a person who would disrespect culture, and dishonor her family. I also think she was sad, the person she was getting ready to marry accused her of something she was sure she didn't do. Had Claudio loved her enough he would have the common decency to politely cancel the wedding and have the whole thing sorted out in private.
By this whole fake death thing i think hero was trying to earn the pity of everyone, and show then that she really was an innocent maiden and that she couldn't have done what she was accused of. I think the whole point was to win back Claudio's heart and her father's.
Textual Evidence (Act four Scene I)
Hero- O, God defend me! How am I beset! What kind of catechising you call this? Hero- True! O God!
She is clearly utterly surprised at some of the remarks that were made.
Divya, I agree with you, nice find about the duel! I think that yes she was initially surprised. And I also think Benedick is sent to duel to prove his love to Beatrice.
I agree with all of you. I think that Hero would feel very upset that everyone is suddenly blaming her for a crime that she is very innocent for. Even people that should trust her, such as her father, are betraying her. What kind of father tells his daughter that she should die rather than bring shame.
I don't agree with Austin on the part about Beatrice though. She is only trying to help Hero and in that scene it is clear that she shows affection for Benedick. She wouldn't want any harm to come to Benedick, she just wants Hero to be avenged.
I hadn't real Austin's post till now. And I disagree with the part about Beatrice. She has a lot of love in her heart and I think this is the first we are seeing it come out, to defend he much loved cousin, Hero.
Hero is obviously more than a little shocked. She must be offended, too, that her father would side with Claudio and that he got so worked up about it.
O, she is fall’n Into a pit of ink, that the whole wide sea Hath drops too few to wash her clean again, And salt too little which may season give To her foul tainted flesh!
Basically, she's too dirty to be cleaned by all the water in the ocean and all the salt in the ocean cannot save her corrupted flesh from rotting. Ouch. Hero must also be pretty embarrassed, to be blushing and fainting all over the place. For some reason, Beatrice thinks getting revenge on Claudio would help Hero out, but she doesn't seem like the angry type. She didn't express her anger when Claudio accused her, so I don't think she would be okay with her cousin arranging for her lover's murder.
I think Beatrice thinks it will help hero, because thats what she would probably do. I don't mean this in a bad way, I think she's only trying to help.
i think Hero is too shocked for words. Here she is on what should be the happiest day of her life, and all of the sudden she is accused of somthing she did not do. Worst it is the very man she should be married to that is accusing her. Then, BAM! ,her father is their right with him, asking to have her killed! Since she's a women in this time period, she has no voice. Anyway, who believed a women who was "unfaithful." i think in her mind, she's trying to find the right words to prove she's innocent, but events are just overtaking her. it is a real moment of pity if there ever was one.
I think Hero felt very wronged by the acusations of Claudio and those who backed him up. I do not belive that Claudio did anything wrong. He was deceived by careful planning from Don John and his followers. I believe anyone would have reacted the same way to something like that. What would you do if you saw a man talking to you fiance during the night secretly at her bed quarters?
When she is quiet? I'm not sure exactly what you mean, but I assume you mean the time when she is pretending to be dead. I think she is incredibly surprised and shocked when it happens to her. I mean, she is in love with Claudio, and ready to marry him and be with him forever. When he completely shocks her with his slanderous words, her first impression after surpirse would be anger at Claudio of accusing her of something that she didn't even do. Something that she knew nothing of. She also would be very angry at her father for siding with Claudio, and not believing her when she denied what Claudio said. She must have felt as though the whole world was just caving in on her, and it was her against the world.
Beatrice is very kind to Hero in her situation. She never for a moment believes that Hero would do a thing like that. She comforts Hero. She also shows her support for her cousin by telling Benedick to kill the man who slandered her cousin, Claudio. Benedick is also on Hero's side, and doesn't believe anything that is said by Claudio. There is textual evidence to prove that Beatrice wanted Benedick to do harm to Claudio, as he harmed her cousin. This is from Act 4, Scene 1. Benedick: Come, bid me do anything for thee. Beatrice: Kill Claudio. Benedick: Ha! Not for the wide world. Beatrice: You kill me to deny it. Farewell. This shows that Beatrice was extremely mad at Claudio for what he did, so mad that he would have him killed.
Hero feels betrayed by her father, but feels heartbroken by Claudio. She loved him, and was about to marry him, and he called her unfaithful and broke her heart. Hero's friends always supported her, and were by her side. They did everything they could to make her feel better. They did that because they knew she was innocent and they wanted everyone else to believe her.
I think it was wrong for Claudio to accuse Hero at the wedding. If he was going to do it at all, it should have been in private where they could have talked about it and not embarrassed themselves. But I can see why Claudio did it. He was upset by Hero, and what he believed she did. Act 4 Scene 1 Good Prince, you have taught me how to accept things nobly. There, Leonato, take your daughter back. Don’t insult a friend by giving him a beautiful orange that rots inside. She only appears honorable from the outside. Look, how she blushes like a virgin! Oh, sin can disguise itself so artfully! Doesn’t that rising blush suggest that she is virtuous and innocent? All of you who are looking at her, wouldn’t you swear that she’s a virgin, judging by these outward shows? But she is no virgin. She has been in a man’s bed. She blushes from guilt, not modesty.
That's a really good point Anant. There is more than one type of love. There is loving someone as a companion, as a man loves a woman. Or vice-versa. This Beatrice at least she insists, and seems as though, she doesn't have. But she does have a lot of the love in her heart of the love from a friend to a friend, or in this case, a cousin to a cousin. She cares about other people very much, and wants them to be treated with respect.
Two things Alex. One, you misspelled accusations and your. But my main point is, Claudio may have had some reason for doing what he did, but he still could have done it in a better way. Instead of going out in front of everyone, where your words cannot be taken back, he should have talked to Hero about it in private. He had reason for doing what he did, yes. But whether it was the right thing or not could be heavily discussed.
Anant, you are absolutely right. Heros dad should have definately believed her. By saying he thought Hero was unfaithful, he was almost saying he brought her up wrong.
I agree with you, Emilie, Elizabeth, and Tom (and most other people.) You make some good points, mainly that Hero went through a lot and her family all responded differently.
And Harris, capitalization and good grammar are wonderful things.
I believe the time when Hero is 'quiet' refers to the time when she was at the wedding alter, speechless at Claudio's cruel words. I think that Hero must have felt very upset when Claudio and her father falsely accused her of things that she did not do. She was quite humiliated when her future husband tells everyone how unfaithful she is. She was also taken by surprise when Claudio began to say such rude things because he never had any proof that she had done those things, he just relied on what others told him. Hero must have felt even more hurt when her own father agreed with Claudio and disowned her. Hero is very lucky though to have a great cousin like Beatrice. Beatrice, a very loud and outspoken lady, definitely sided with Hero during this time of confusion and chaos. When everyone turned their backs on Hero, Beatrice was their to support her. Despite the fact that she is greatly in love with Benedick, Beatrice implies to her lover that she is disappointed with Claudio's deed and will be disappointed with Benedick too if he does not assist in helping solve the whole problem. In the book, Act 4 Scene 1, Beatrice states, "Sweet Hero, she is wronged, she is slandered and she is undone." This shows that she really loves and cares for Hero. Overall, I believe that Beatrice is a great cousin and an even better friend.
I agree with Tom, when Hero is 'quiet' does that refer to when she was pretending to be dead, or to when she was silent at the wedding alter? I believe that that description could go both ways.
I actually disagree with Alex's statement. I believe that it was very wrong for Claudio to accuse Hero in such a blunt manner. I think he should have talked to her before the marriage regarding all of the rumors insteading of humilating her during the marriage ceremony. If Claudio actually believed that Hero was being unfaithful, he should have found solid-proof before accusing her. However, I do agree that the whole scheme was carefully planned by Don John. Even then, Claudio still should have been careful and not have opened his mouth to say such harsh things.
Hero is a very shy and quiet person, and probably does not react well under pressure. She must feel horrified that Claudio, who a day before was smitten to her, would accuse of her such an un-noble act. To her father, she must feel so betrayed that he believes the accusations so quickly- and can hardly look at her for shame and disgust. Hero must also be so surprised- she didn't really do anything wrong! Her mind must be racing with all the different things that could have happened to make the two men who love her most hate her. She is so embarrassed as well- for a women, there was basically no worse crime at the time. Claudio is saying that she is dirty, untouchable, and unfit to marry him. To make matters worse, she is accused in front of all her family and friends. The pressure must be overwhelming, so she faints and quietly removes herself form the argument- at least for the time being.
Act IV, Scene I
CLAUDIO: Sweet Prince, you learn me noble thankfulness.— There, Leonato, take her back again. Give not this rotten orange to your friend. She’s but the sign and semblance of her honor. Behold how like a maid she blushes here! Oh, what authority and show of truth Can cunning sin cover itself withal! Comes not that blood as modest evidence To witness simple virtue? Would you not swear, All you that see her, that she were a maid By these exterior shows? But she is none. She knows the heat of a luxurious bed. Her blush is guiltiness, not modesty.
I agree with Morgan. What Hero was accused of doing was wrong, but it was just obnoxious and vengeful of Claudio to announce it at the wedding. He should of confronted her privately, and at least given her a chance to defend herself.
Shivani makes a good point- as her future husband, Claudio should have trusted her more. Even though he did not know Hero well, he should have very quickly, if not immediately, realized that what she was supposedly doing was totally out of character for her.
I agree with Emma, Hero is only shy because when she is intemmidated by others, (Claudio). The only time she is not shy is when she around Margaret and Ursula and Beatrice.
I agree with Shivani completely. Hero being quiet is a metaphorical term for speechless. Actually, about 75% of this book is metaphorical, so you have to dechiper most of it in order to fully understand it.
I agree with Shivani. She feels betrayed by her father when he sides with Claudio. If it were me, I would be very angry id my own father didn't believe me.
Hero was being quiet because she doesn't understand what is going on. She upset because her father believes what Claudio is saying without asking her what happened. Hero doesn't understand why Claudio who was going to marry her is suddenly being mean and humiliating her in public. She is mad at Claudio later when she is able to think about what happened. If she had been able to process what was happening she would have probably been too afraid to say anything because women weren't supposed to say much then. Hero's friends are on her side and help her pretend to be dead. They help her make Claudio feel guilty for accusing her. Beatrice also tells Benedick to kill Claudio.
Benedick: Come,bid me do anything for thee. Beatrice: Kill Claudio. Benedick: Ha! Not for the wide world. Beatrice: You kill me to deny it. Farwell.
I agree with Emma, Hero is very shy and then Claudio blames her for something she didn't do. She is very shy so she got scared and thats why she fainted.
I believe Hero felt wronged by Claudio, but yet I do believe she still loves him, and hopes that he will take her back. I think this is totally unreasonable, for a young woman to take back the man who embaressed and slandered her for something that was not true, in front of her entire family and all her peers. All these lyes and emotinal outbreaks caused Hero to faint in confusion and despair. To add, Hero's father, Leonato, was starting to believe that she was unfaithful. She must have felt shocked when she saw her own father, about to take Claudio and his friends side in slandering her! Now that her dad is on her side, I believe she feels better, but she still has the grief of knowing her father did not have faith in his own daughter. Beatrice and Benedick (well, slightly Benedick) try to bring Hero comfort in her time of worry. Beatrice insists she will leave Benedick if he does not kill Claudio. Beatrice is trying to help Hero by getting rid of the man that accused her for such dreadful things. Also, I think Beatrice as mad at Claudio herself, for she knew he slandered Hero for reasons that were not true. Benedick ends up saying that he will have a duel with Claudio. TEXTUAL EVIDENCE: BENEDICK- We'll be friends first. BEATRICE- You dare easier be frends with me than fight mine enemy.
Hero rightly feels confused at this point in the story. Her to-be husband has accused her of unfaithfulness with so-called conclusive proof and even her own father doesn’t believe her story. Claudio isn’t of course to blame. Many men in his position would overreact like that and get angry. In retrospect though, Claudio and Don Pedro shouldn’t have trusted Don John to the extent that they did after Don John had already proven himself untrustworthy.
HERO: O, God defend me! How am I beset! What kind of catechizing call you this?
When Hero said this, it should’ve been clear to Claudio and Don Pedro that she was telling the truth to all who would listen. Knowing Hero, she could only be this passionate about something if she believed it with all her heart. It’s very hard to believe something with all your heart if you know it’s a lie. The problem that all of these characters have is that no one considers a perspective other than their own.
I agree with Anant. Any normal person in a situation like this would be freaking out. Especially if they didn't partake in any of the alleged acts. Hero's plan worked very well in my opinion, and Don John's flight just added to her credibility.
I disagree with Sam. Given the circumstances, people should be ready to forgive. After Don John fled, everyone understood that they had been played a fool by his trickery. Just as well, Claudio admits deep regret right in front of her face, so she can tell he is truly sorry.
Jane Zogbi: Hero is completely astonished at the accusations that Claudio is saying. The reason why she wasn't speaking was because of how dumbfounded she was. She was absolutely mortified that anyone could assume that she would ever do the things that Claudio was saying. The reason why she was blushing at this point was out of embarrassment for her reputation. Another part of why she was so astonished was that her own father, Leonato, began believing the remarks that Claudio was saying. Maybe this is just what I believe in but if my daughter was being accused I would listen to what she would have to say first before I made any assumptions of my own. I think that Heros friends are very good to her when Claudio points a finger at her. They don't believe a single word that comes out of his mouth because they have been with her her entire life. Beatrice went to lengths as big as making Benedick kill Claudio. Even though it is not a very uncommon thing for Beatrice to order. All of Heros friends know that she is a kind, sweet, shy, young woman and they know that she could never do such a thing, so they have her back even at stakes this major.
Textual Evidence
Act 4 scene 1 Benedick: Come, bid me do anything for thee. Beatrice: Kill Claudio. Benedick: Ha! Not for the wide world. Beatrice: You kill me to deny it. Farewell.
See, Beatrice even told Benedick to kill her for the sake of her cousin. The whole situation revolves around Hero.
I disagree with Alex's comment. If Claudio was a real gentleman, he would've considered every side of the story, instead of assuming a shadow was Hero. He did not even see her face yet he assumed it was her. I believe he should have talked to Hero, and asked her if this was true before believing rumors.
I agree with Emma that Hero does not act well under pressure. When she was accused, her confusion and embaressment led to a total state of shock, causing her to pass out. Some people would speak up and say these accusations were untrue. Others, like Hero, react more dramatically, and could even faint at the scene, like Hero.
I agree with Brianna. I too do not know why Hero would still want to marry Claudio, after learning he is very gullible. Yet, at the same time, Hero is also gullible. I believe everyone in this play is gullible, except Benedick and Beatrice, for they are the only ones who actually stand up for themselves and the people they love. For example, Beatrice went to such drastic measures such as the idea of asking Benedick to kill Claudio, so she can help Hero. Benedick calls Claudio to a duel, so he can show his love for Beatrice. Everyone else makes their choice not for the people they love, or for there own beliefs. They make their choices upon rumors. Leonato accused his only daughter of being unfaithful just because Claudio and his friends said it to be true. Hero took back Claudio even after he embaressed and slandered her infront of everyone. Claudio did this only because he believed Don John. I think it's outrageous.
I think that Hero would have felt really betrayed and surprised that her own father and fiancé would believe that she was unfaithful when they didn't actually have any solid evidence. All they saw was shadows and heard voices. It could have been anyone pretending-and in this case it was. Hero's friends went to great lengths by coming up with an intricate plan to help show everyone who doubts her that she truly didn't do what she was accused of. Beatrice, being the loving cousin who she is, and just as much to Hero as a sister, asked the man she loved, Benedick, to kill the man who wronged her cousin.
Textual Evidence: CLAUDIO I know what you would say: if I have known her, You will say she did embrace me as a husband, And so extenuate the forehand sin. No, Leonato, I never tempted her with word too large But, as a brother to his sister, showed Bashful sincerity and comely love.
HERO And seemed I ever otherwise to you?
CLAUDIO Out on thee, seeming! I will write against it. 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, or those pampered animals That rage in savage sensuality.
HERO Is my lord well, that he doth speak so wide?
This is just saying how astonished that Hero was that she was being accused of these things
I agree with Jane's comment. Hero passed out because she was so overwhelmed and astonished by all of the accusations being thrown at her, by her fiancé none the less. Then, even more so when her own father Leonato joined in and believed them, even though he should be on her side because he is her father. I also would believe what my daughter would have to say, if she were to be in that situation. I would put what she were to say above what others were saying because I would have an obligation to believe her. Hero's friends are good to her when she is accused, because they don't believe it, because they are actually capable of being able to trust someone who would have no reason to do what she was accused of. Her friends know that she wouldn't do that kind of thing because she is shy, sweet, and innocent.
Hero is clearly innocent. She should have received at least a benefit of the doubt because she had never shown any reason to be suspicious. I don't understand why Leonato was so eager to believe Don Pedro, Don Jon, and Claudio. I don't get why he didn't go check at the room for evidence or just do a thorough investigation. This makes me believe that he did not truly love his daughter.
I agree with Shivani because Claudio had no right to embarrass her in public without solid proof. What right did anyone have to not lI've her without an eyewitness account. I also do not understand how Margaret didn't realize what was going on. She didn't yell with glee, Borachio, she found out what was happening. She also was closer to the window, yet they don't hear her say Claudio. I think this means that both Claudio and Don Pedro wanted to believe that Hero was guilty. Claudio took the opportunity to "kill" Hero.
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I think Hero feels betrayed that Claudio and her father would believe what was said about her, and not trust her. She was upset with them for treating her so terribly and calling her unfaithful even though she was innocent. Beatrice loves her cousin very much, so she tells Benedick to go kill Claudio for ruining Hero's reputation if Benedick wants to prove that he truly loves Beatrice. She figures if the man who brought her so much trouble is no longer around, Hero will start to feel better (which is totally ridiculous).
ReplyDeleteTextual Evidence: (Act 4 Scene 1)
BENEDICK Enough, I am engaged. I will challenge him. I will kiss your hand, and so I leave you. By this hand, Claudio shall render me a dear account. As you hear of me, so think of me. Go
comfort your cousin. I must say she is dead, and so, farewell.
I'm not exactly sure about which part of the play you're talking about, Mrs. Greene, but I'm assuming you meant while Hero was pretending to be dead.
ReplyDeleteHero probably felt horrible that Claudio and her father were so quick to believe bad things about her, and that anyone would accuse her of such things. She must have been angry and depressed, especially at the point when Leonato says that he would rather she died than live so they would not all have to bear her shame. "O Fate, take not away thy heavy hand! Death is the fairest cover for her shame that may be wished for." (Act IV, Scene 1)
Beatrice is kind to and refuses to believe that her cousin would do anything of the sort, and tries to offer as much support as she can. Benedick is on Hero's side originally because Beatrice is, and later Beatrice tells him to prove his love to her by killing Claudio. Benedick ends up challenging her to a duel. Beatrice seems to not think much of men.
Leonato sets up Claudio with Hero again, telling Claudio that she is his niece and that he wants Claudio to marry him to make up for killing Hero. Although I can't believe that Hero would still want to marry him after all that. Hero seems to be very, very gullible and innocent.
I totally agree with you, Breanna; especially the first part about Hero's shame. And I do think that she meant the part where Hero pretends to be dead. So you're probably right.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I think that Hero felt a little betrayed that Claudio would make such outrageous comments about Hero on her wedding day. If Claudio were a true gentlemen, (which he is not), he wouldn't have said those rude comments in front of Hero. Even though Claudio "claimed" that he saw Hero with another man, but that other shadow he saw could have been Beatrice, or one of Hero's gentlewomen. Hero's friends go to extreme lengths to make Hero recover from all the unfaithfulness at the wedding. Of course, Beatrice, the loving, always caring cousin of Hero, tries to fix everything by herself so she gets the job done right. Apparently, Beatrice now hates Claudio, which is understandable, and all of his close friends. So Beatrice, while talking to Benedick, comes up with this dastardly scheme to kill Claudio so Hero would be happy. I personally don't think that is the best idea, not everything is solved with violence, but Beatrice doesn't care. I like Beatrice, she shows everyone that she sticks with her goal and does anything to complete it. Also, Beatrice wants Benedick to kill Claudio, so this shows how evil and crafty Beatrice is. Pretty much, she will make Benedick kill Claudio and then Benedick will go to jail. It is a win-win situation for Beatrice, Claudio is dead, and Benedick is in jail, she wins. There is one small problem though, Beatrice is apparently in love with Benedick. This one I did not see coming, until Act three.
ReplyDeleteTextual Evidence (Act Four Scene 1)
BEATRICE: You have stayed me in a happy hour; I was about to protest I loved you.
BENEDICK: And do it with all thy heart.
BEATRICE: I love you with so much of my heart that none is left to protest.
BENEDICK: Come, bid me do anything for thee.
BEATRICE: Kill Claudio.
BENEDICK: Ha! Not for the wide world.
BEATRICE: You kill me to deny it. Farewell.
BENEDICK: Tarry, sweet Beatrice.
Divya Agarwal- Hero feels terrible that the man who brought her up would believe her to be capable of being unfaithful to the man she loves. Initially, she is surprised that Claudio, who was captivated by her looks in an instant, would imagine she is in love with a servant. Claudio and Don Pedro knew that Don John used to be mischievous in the past, yet he had been forgiven. Since Don John has been the one to tell Claudio about Hero being unfaithful, they should have been able to tell Don John was scheming again. Hero and Leonato thought Claudio was joking as he was insulting her, but then he realized it was serious. A person cannot force them self to faint, yet Claudio still believed Hero was no longer a maid.
ReplyDeleteEven though Beatrice appears indifferent, she loves her frail cousin alot. To make Benedick prove his love, she asks him to go kill Claudio for putting her cousin in such a miserable state. When Benedick refuses, Beatrice gets upset. Benedick finally consents, he challenges one of his best friends to a duel. This could potentially ruin a great friendship, yet Benedick is doing it for Beatrice and Hero. Beatrice does this to get revenge on the man who hurt her cousin, and Benedick is doing it to prove his love to Beatrice.
Textual Evidence
Act 4 Scene 1
Beatrice- Kill Claudio.
Beatrice- Sweet Hero, she is wronged, she is slandered, she is undone.
Austin, I completely agree with the fact that killing Claudio will not make Hero feel any better. In fact, that may make her feel worse because she won't be able to prove that she is faithful to him. He would have died thinking her not a maid.
ReplyDeleteBreanna, I agree with you. That was very wrong of Leonato to accuse the daughter he brought up with love. He should have listened to what she was saying before saying he would prefer her dead.
ReplyDeleteAustin, you said that Beatrice is crafty and evil? Also that she was trying to send Benedick to jail? That would make sense if she DID hate Benedick. But like you said, you didn't know that they actually loved each other till later. Even if she still hated Benedick, I don't think she would take those extreme measures to actually make him go to jail. I mean, if they did hate each other, it would be more like on a cat and dog level of hatred. They wouldn't try to get revenge on each other, but they would never get along.
ReplyDeleteHero feel surprised, she is utterly confused! How could she, the innocent Hero be convicted of such a vile act?! If i were in here position I would feel the same! How could her own father think that she could have done an unspeakable act. She was always the innocent little girl of the family. If anyone was to suspected I would think Beatrice, because she comes across as a person who would disrespect culture, and dishonor her family. I also think she was sad, the person she was getting ready to marry accused her of something she was sure she didn't do. Had Claudio loved her enough he would have the common decency to politely cancel the wedding and have the whole thing sorted out in private.
ReplyDeleteBy this whole fake death thing i think hero was trying to earn the pity of everyone, and show then that she really was an innocent maiden and that she couldn't have done what she was accused of. I think the whole point was to win back Claudio's heart and her father's.
Textual Evidence
(Act four Scene I)
Hero- O, God defend me! How am I beset! What kind of catechising you call this?
Hero- True! O God!
She is clearly utterly surprised at some of the remarks that were made.
Divya, I agree with you, nice find about the duel! I think that yes she was initially surprised. And I also think Benedick is sent to duel to prove his love to Beatrice.
ReplyDeleteI agree with all of you. I think that Hero would feel very upset that everyone is suddenly blaming her for a crime that she is very innocent for. Even people that should trust her, such as her father, are betraying her. What kind of father tells his daughter that she should die rather than bring shame.
ReplyDeleteI don't agree with Austin on the part about Beatrice though. She is only trying to help Hero and in that scene it is clear that she shows affection for Benedick. She wouldn't want any harm to come to Benedick, she just wants Hero to be avenged.
I hadn't real Austin's post till now. And I disagree with the part about Beatrice. She has a lot of love in her heart and I think this is the first we are seeing it come out, to defend he much loved cousin, Hero.
ReplyDeleteHero is obviously more than a little shocked. She must be offended, too, that her father would side with Claudio and that he got so worked up about it.
ReplyDeleteO, she is fall’n
Into a pit of ink, that the whole wide sea
Hath drops too few to wash her clean again,
And salt too little which may season give
To her foul tainted flesh!
Basically, she's too dirty to be cleaned by all the water in the ocean and all the salt in the ocean cannot save her corrupted flesh from rotting.
Ouch.
Hero must also be pretty embarrassed, to be blushing and fainting all over the place. For some reason, Beatrice thinks getting revenge on Claudio would help Hero out, but she doesn't seem like the angry type. She didn't express her anger when Claudio accused her, so I don't think she would be okay with her cousin arranging for her lover's murder.
Elizabeth Vicario
I think Beatrice thinks it will help hero, because thats what she would probably do. I don't mean this in a bad way, I think she's only trying to help.
ReplyDeletei think Hero is too shocked for words. Here she is on what should be the happiest day of her life, and all of the sudden she is accused of somthing she did not do. Worst it is the very man she should be married to that is accusing her. Then, BAM! ,her father is their right with him, asking to have her killed! Since she's a women in this time period, she has no voice. Anyway, who believed a women who was "unfaithful." i think in her mind, she's trying to find the right words to prove she's innocent, but events are just overtaking her. it is a real moment of pity if there ever was one.
ReplyDeleteI think Hero felt very wronged by the acusations of Claudio and those who backed him up. I do not belive that Claudio did anything wrong. He was deceived by careful planning from Don John and his followers. I believe anyone would have reacted the same way to something like that. What would you do if you saw a man talking to you fiance during the night secretly at her bed quarters?
ReplyDeleteWhen she is quiet? I'm not sure exactly what you mean, but I assume you mean the time when she is pretending to be dead. I think she is incredibly surprised and shocked when it happens to her. I mean, she is in love with Claudio, and ready to marry him and be with him forever. When he completely shocks her with his slanderous words, her first impression after surpirse would be anger at Claudio of accusing her of something that she didn't even do. Something that she knew nothing of. She also would be very angry at her father for siding with Claudio, and not believing her when she denied what Claudio said. She must have felt as though the whole world was just caving in on her, and it was her against the world.
ReplyDeleteBeatrice is very kind to Hero in her situation. She never for a moment believes that Hero would do a thing like that. She comforts Hero. She also shows her support for her cousin by telling Benedick to kill the man who slandered her cousin, Claudio. Benedick is also on Hero's side, and doesn't believe anything that is said by Claudio. There is textual evidence to prove that Beatrice wanted Benedick to do harm to Claudio, as he harmed her cousin. This is from Act 4, Scene 1.
Benedick: Come, bid me do anything for thee.
Beatrice: Kill Claudio.
Benedick: Ha! Not for the wide world.
Beatrice: You kill me to deny it. Farewell.
This shows that Beatrice was extremely mad at Claudio for what he did, so mad that he would have him killed.
Hero feels betrayed by her father, but feels heartbroken by Claudio. She loved him, and was about to marry him, and he called her unfaithful and broke her heart. Hero's friends always supported her, and were by her side. They did everything they could to make her feel better. They did that because they knew she was innocent and they wanted everyone else to believe her.
ReplyDeleteI think it was wrong for Claudio to accuse Hero at the wedding. If he was going to do it at all, it should have been in private where they could have talked about it and not embarrassed themselves. But I can see why Claudio did it. He was upset by Hero, and what he believed she did.
Act 4 Scene 1
Good Prince, you have taught me how to accept things nobly. There, Leonato, take your daughter back. Don’t insult a friend by giving him a beautiful orange that rots inside. She only appears honorable from the outside. Look, how she blushes like a virgin! Oh, sin can disguise itself so artfully! Doesn’t that rising blush suggest that she is virtuous and innocent? All of you who are looking at her, wouldn’t you swear that she’s a virgin, judging by these outward shows? But she is no virgin. She has been in a man’s bed. She blushes from guilt, not modesty.
That's a really good point Anant. There is more than one type of love. There is loving someone as a companion, as a man loves a woman. Or vice-versa. This Beatrice at least she insists, and seems as though, she doesn't have. But she does have a lot of the love in her heart of the love from a friend to a friend, or in this case, a cousin to a cousin. She cares about other people very much, and wants them to be treated with respect.
ReplyDeleteTwo things Alex. One, you misspelled accusations and your. But my main point is, Claudio may have had some reason for doing what he did, but he still could have done it in a better way. Instead of going out in front of everyone, where your words cannot be taken back, he should have talked to Hero about it in private. He had reason for doing what he did, yes. But whether it was the right thing or not could be heavily discussed.
ReplyDeleteAnant, you are absolutely right. Heros dad should have definately believed her. By saying he thought Hero was unfaithful, he was almost saying he brought her up wrong.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, Emilie, Elizabeth, and Tom (and most other people.) You make some good points, mainly that Hero went through a lot and her family all responded differently.
ReplyDeleteAnd Harris, capitalization and good grammar are wonderful things.
I am enjoying your comments. I'm so glad that my blogging idea worked. Get ready for so much more of this!
ReplyDeleteI believe the time when Hero is 'quiet' refers to the time when she was at the wedding alter, speechless at Claudio's cruel words. I think that Hero must have felt very upset when Claudio and her father falsely accused her of things that she did not do. She was quite humiliated when her future husband tells everyone how unfaithful she is. She was also taken by surprise when Claudio began to say such rude things because he never had any proof that she had done those things, he just relied on what others told him. Hero must have felt even more hurt when her own father agreed with Claudio and disowned her. Hero is very lucky though to have a great cousin like Beatrice. Beatrice, a very loud and outspoken lady, definitely sided with Hero during this time of confusion and chaos. When everyone turned their backs on Hero, Beatrice was their to support her. Despite the fact that she is greatly in love with Benedick, Beatrice implies to her lover that she is disappointed with Claudio's deed and will be disappointed with Benedick too if he does not assist in helping solve the whole problem. In the book, Act 4 Scene 1, Beatrice states, "Sweet Hero, she is wronged, she is slandered and she is undone." This shows that she really loves and cares for Hero. Overall, I believe that Beatrice is a great cousin and an even better friend.
ReplyDelete~Shivani Mehrotra
I agree with Tom, when Hero is 'quiet' does that refer to when she was pretending to be dead, or to when she was silent at the wedding alter? I believe that that description could go both ways.
ReplyDeleteI actually disagree with Alex's statement. I believe that it was very wrong for Claudio to accuse Hero in such a blunt manner. I think he should have talked to her before the marriage regarding all of the rumors insteading of humilating her during the marriage ceremony. If Claudio actually believed that Hero was being unfaithful, he should have found solid-proof before accusing her. However, I do agree that the whole scheme was carefully planned by Don John. Even then, Claudio still should have been careful and not have opened his mouth to say such harsh things.
ReplyDelete~Shivani Mehrotra
Hero is a very shy and quiet person, and probably does not react well under pressure. She must feel horrified that Claudio, who a day before was smitten to her, would accuse of her such an un-noble act. To her father, she must feel so betrayed that he believes the accusations so quickly- and can hardly look at her for shame and disgust. Hero must also be so surprised- she didn't really do anything wrong! Her mind must be racing with all the different things that could have happened to make the two men who love her most hate her. She is so embarrassed as well- for a women, there was basically no worse crime at the time. Claudio is saying that she is dirty, untouchable, and unfit to marry him. To make matters worse, she is accused in front of all her family and friends. The pressure must be overwhelming, so she faints and quietly removes herself form the argument- at least for the time being.
ReplyDeleteAct IV, Scene I
CLAUDIO:
Sweet Prince, you learn me noble thankfulness.—
There, Leonato, take her back again.
Give not this rotten orange to your friend.
She’s but the sign and semblance of her honor.
Behold how like a maid she blushes here!
Oh, what authority and show of truth
Can cunning sin cover itself withal!
Comes not that blood as modest evidence
To witness simple virtue? Would you not swear,
All you that see her, that she were a maid
By these exterior shows? But she is none.
She knows the heat of a luxurious bed.
Her blush is guiltiness, not modesty.
Emma Kerr
I agree with Morgan. What Hero was accused of doing was wrong, but it was just obnoxious and vengeful of Claudio to announce it at the wedding. He should of confronted her privately, and at least given her a chance to defend herself.
ReplyDeleteShivani makes a good point- as her future husband, Claudio should have trusted her more. Even though he did not know Hero well, he should have very quickly, if not immediately, realized that what she was supposedly doing was totally out of character for her.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Emma, Hero is only shy because when she is intemmidated by others, (Claudio). The only time she is not shy is when she around Margaret and Ursula and Beatrice.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Shivani completely. Hero being quiet is a metaphorical term for speechless. Actually, about 75% of this book is metaphorical, so you have to dechiper most of it in order to fully understand it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Shivani. She feels betrayed by her father when he sides with Claudio. If it were me, I would be very angry id my own father didn't believe me.
ReplyDeleteHero was being quiet because she doesn't understand what is going on. She upset because her father believes what Claudio is saying without asking her what happened. Hero doesn't understand why Claudio who was going to marry her is suddenly being mean and humiliating her in public. She is mad at Claudio later when she is able to think about what happened. If she had been able to process what was happening she would have probably been too afraid to say anything because women weren't supposed to say much then. Hero's friends are on her side and help her pretend to be dead. They help her make Claudio feel guilty for accusing her. Beatrice also tells Benedick to kill Claudio.
ReplyDeleteBenedick: Come,bid me do anything for thee.
Beatrice: Kill Claudio.
Benedick: Ha! Not for the wide world.
Beatrice: You kill me to deny it. Farwell.
I agree with Emma, Hero is very shy and then Claudio blames her for something she didn't do. She is very shy so she got scared and thats why she fainted.
ReplyDeleteI believe Hero felt wronged by Claudio, but yet I do believe she still loves him, and hopes that he will take her back. I think this is totally unreasonable, for a young woman to take back the man who embaressed and slandered her for something that was not true, in front of her entire family and all her peers. All these lyes and emotinal outbreaks caused Hero to faint in confusion and despair. To add, Hero's father, Leonato, was starting to believe that she was unfaithful. She must have felt shocked when she saw her own father, about to take Claudio and his friends side in slandering her! Now that her dad is on her side, I believe she feels better, but she still has the grief of knowing her father did not have faith in his own daughter.
ReplyDeleteBeatrice and Benedick (well, slightly Benedick) try to bring Hero comfort in her time of worry. Beatrice insists she will leave Benedick if he does not kill Claudio. Beatrice is trying to help Hero by getting rid of the man that accused her for such dreadful things. Also, I think Beatrice as mad at Claudio herself, for she knew he slandered Hero for reasons that were not true. Benedick ends up saying that he will have a duel with Claudio.
TEXTUAL EVIDENCE: BENEDICK- We'll be friends
first.
BEATRICE- You dare easier be
frends with me than fight
mine enemy.
Hero rightly feels confused at this point in the story. Her to-be husband has accused her of unfaithfulness with so-called conclusive proof and even her own father doesn’t believe her story. Claudio isn’t of course to blame. Many men in his position would overreact like that and get angry. In retrospect though, Claudio and Don Pedro shouldn’t have trusted Don John to the extent that they did after Don John had already proven himself untrustworthy.
ReplyDeleteHERO: O, God defend me! How am I beset! What kind of catechizing call you this?
When Hero said this, it should’ve been clear to Claudio and Don Pedro that she was telling the truth to all who would listen. Knowing Hero, she could only be this passionate about something if she believed it with all her heart. It’s very hard to believe something with all your heart if you know it’s a lie. The problem that all of these characters have is that no one considers a perspective other than their own.
I agree with Anant. Any normal person in a situation like this would be freaking out. Especially if they didn't partake in any of the alleged acts. Hero's plan worked very well in my opinion, and Don John's flight just added to her credibility.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with Sam. Given the circumstances, people should be ready to forgive. After Don John fled, everyone understood that they had been played a fool by his trickery. Just as well, Claudio admits deep regret right in front of her face, so she can tell he is truly sorry.
ReplyDeleteJane Zogbi: Hero is completely astonished at the accusations that Claudio is saying. The reason why she wasn't speaking was because of how dumbfounded she was. She was absolutely mortified that anyone could assume that she would ever do the things that Claudio was saying. The reason why she was blushing at this point was out of embarrassment for her reputation. Another part of why she was so astonished was that her own father, Leonato, began believing the remarks that Claudio was saying. Maybe this is just what I believe in but if my daughter was being accused I would listen to what she would have to say first before I made any assumptions of my own. I think that Heros friends are very good to her when Claudio points a finger at her. They don't believe a single word that comes out of his mouth because they have been with her her entire life. Beatrice went to lengths as big as making Benedick kill Claudio. Even though it is not a very uncommon thing for Beatrice to order. All of Heros friends know that she is a kind, sweet, shy, young woman and they know that she could never do such a thing, so they have her back even at stakes this major.
ReplyDeleteTextual Evidence
Act 4 scene 1
Benedick: Come, bid me do anything for thee.
Beatrice: Kill Claudio.
Benedick: Ha! Not for the wide world.
Beatrice: You kill me to deny it. Farewell.
See, Beatrice even told Benedick to kill her for the sake of her cousin. The whole situation revolves around Hero.
I disagree with Alex's comment. If Claudio was a real gentleman, he would've considered every side of the story, instead of assuming a shadow was Hero. He did not even see her face yet he assumed it was her. I believe he should have talked to Hero, and asked her if this was true before believing rumors.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Emma that Hero does not act well under pressure. When she was accused, her confusion and embaressment led to a total state of shock, causing her to pass out. Some people would speak up and say these accusations were untrue. Others, like Hero, react more dramatically, and could even faint at the scene, like Hero.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Brianna. I too do not know why Hero would still want to marry Claudio, after learning he is very gullible. Yet, at the same time, Hero is also gullible. I believe everyone in this play is gullible, except Benedick and Beatrice, for they are the only ones who actually stand up for themselves and the people they love. For example, Beatrice went to such drastic measures such as the idea of asking Benedick to kill Claudio, so she can help Hero. Benedick calls Claudio to a duel, so he can show his love for Beatrice. Everyone else makes their choice not for the people they love, or for there own beliefs. They make their choices upon rumors. Leonato accused his only daughter of being unfaithful just because Claudio and his friends said it to be true. Hero took back Claudio even after he embaressed and slandered her infront of everyone. Claudio did this only because he believed Don John. I think it's outrageous.
ReplyDeleteI think that Hero would have felt really betrayed and surprised that her own father and fiancé would believe that she was unfaithful when they didn't actually have any solid evidence. All they saw was shadows and heard voices. It could have been anyone pretending-and in this case it was. Hero's friends went to great lengths by coming up with an intricate plan to help show everyone who doubts her that she truly didn't do what she was accused of. Beatrice, being the loving cousin who she is, and just as much to Hero as a sister, asked the man she loved, Benedick, to kill the man who wronged her cousin.
ReplyDeleteTextual Evidence: CLAUDIO
I know what you would say: if I have known her,
You will say she did embrace me as a husband,
And so extenuate the forehand sin.
No, Leonato,
I never tempted her with word too large
But, as a brother to his sister, showed
Bashful sincerity and comely love.
HERO
And seemed I ever otherwise to you?
CLAUDIO
Out on thee, seeming! I will write against it.
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, or those pampered animals
That rage in savage sensuality.
HERO
Is my lord well, that he doth speak so wide?
This is just saying how astonished that Hero was that she was being accused of these things
I agree with Jane's comment. Hero passed out because she was so overwhelmed and astonished by all of the accusations being thrown at her, by her fiancé none the less. Then, even more so when her own father Leonato joined in and believed them, even though he should be on her side because he is her father. I also would believe what my daughter would have to say, if she were to be in that situation. I would put what she were to say above what others were saying because I would have an obligation to believe her. Hero's friends are good to her when she is accused, because they don't believe it, because they are actually capable of being able to trust someone who would have no reason to do what she was accused of. Her friends know that she wouldn't do that kind of thing because she is shy, sweet, and innocent.
ReplyDeleteHero is clearly innocent. She should have received at least a benefit of the doubt because she had never shown any reason to be suspicious. I don't understand why Leonato was so eager to believe Don Pedro, Don Jon, and Claudio. I don't get why he didn't go check at the room for evidence or just do a thorough investigation. This makes me believe that he did not truly love his daughter.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Shivani because Claudio had no right to embarrass her in public without solid proof. What right did anyone have to not lI've her without an eyewitness account. I also do not understand how Margaret didn't realize what was going on. She didn't yell with glee, Borachio, she found out what was happening. She also was closer to the window, yet they don't hear her say Claudio. I think this means that both Claudio and Don Pedro wanted to believe that Hero was guilty. Claudio took the opportunity to "kill" Hero.
ReplyDelete