Explore how Shakespeare uses characters voices to convey thir feelings and attitudes in Act 4 Scene 1 of Much Ado about Nothing - Essay Example

Download file to see previous pages Still, in both texts, Shakespeare makes prominent use of the character’s voices to express these character’s feelings and attitudes. Through an examination of Much Ado About Nothing’s Act IV, Scene i and Othello’s Act V, Scene ii this essay examines Shakespeare’s implementation of character voices. Much Ado About Nothing’s Act IV, scene i is a crucial turning point in the plot. This scene begins with the commencement of the marriage to Claudio and Hero. Throughout this scene, Shakespeare implements the characters’ voices in a variety of ways to illustrate their feelings and attitudes. Early in the scene Shakespeare largely implements descriptive dialogue as a means of expressing the characters’ attitudes. Throughout the early part of this scene, however, there are slight undertones to Claudio’s voice. After being asked if he has come to the location to marry this lady, Claudio indicates that he hasn’t; the characters interpret he negative answer as having a different meaning. Claudio continues to engage in the conversation by cleverly concealing his true feelings. In this way, he asks Don Pedro, “And what have I to give you back whose worth/ May counterpoise this rich and precious gift?” (Shakespeare 2011, 25-26). ...
eonato asks Claudio if he has proof that Hero, “Have vanquished the resistance of her youth/ And made defeat of her virginity” (Shakespeare 2011, 44-45). In this instance, Leonato has expressed his emotions through the implementation of a war metaphor. Specifically, he compares Hero’s virginity to a country that had been conquered. Ultimately, Claudio and Leonato’s voices implement metaphor and simile to express a strong amount of patriarchal disgust and astonishment at what they perceive to be Hero’s actions. As this scene progresses, Shakespeare further explores the interactions that occur between Claudio and Hero. After speaking with Hero’s father, Claudio turns his attention to Hero. Claudio expresses the chaste way that he has treated Hero and Hero asks him if she has not acted the same way towards him. Claudio voices his anger and astonishment through descriptive language and simile. Claudio states, “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 pamp’red animals/ That rage in savage sensuality” (Shakespeare 2011, 54-58). Here, Claudio indicates that while his original impression of Hero was as an unripe flower, now he believes she is like a savage animal. Ultimately, this metaphor operates as a means for Claudio to express his pure astonishment at what he believes he discovered. Following the expressions of anger and astonishment, Hero voices her innocence. Shakespeare has powerfully increased the intensity of the scene, such that Hero’s proclamations of innocence match the intensity of the accusations thrown against her. She indicates that, “Prove you that any man with me conversed/ At hours unmeet…Refuse me, hate me, torture me to death!” ...Download file to see next pagesRead More