Character Reactions
Themes
Who said that?
100
What is Leonato's immediate reaction to Claudio's accusation of Hero?
He is shocked, upset, and in a state of disbelief Line 69: "Are these things spoken, or do I but dream?"
100
Give an example of the theme of accusation BONUS: What is an example of the theme of death?
Claudio accuses Hero of losing her virginity and says he refuses to marry her. There is also a parallel theme of vulnerability and defenselessness because nobody believes Hero even though she is speaking the truth when she says she is a virgin. Line 44: "Not to be married, Not to knit my soul to an approvèd wanton." BONUS: Leonato would rather have his daughter die than have her live with shame, he sees it as a way of escape Line 121: "O Fate, take not away thy heavy hand! Death is the fairest cover for her shame That may be wished for."
100
Line 81: "Oh, God defend me, how I am beset! What kind of catechizing call you this?"
Hero
200
What is Don Pedro's reaction?
He sides with Claudio and is ashamed of setting up his close friend and what he believes to be a sinner. Line 65: "What should I speak? I stand dishonored that have gone about To link my dear friend to a common stale."
200
Give an example of the theme of Anti-love
Claudio once believed that Hero was pure but now thinks differently of her because of the rumors he heard. In actuality he is being set up by Don John, but he is not aware of this. Now, he does not want to marry her, and listens to all of the rumors instead of believing her. Hero asks Claudio if she ever seemed anything but pure to him and he replies... Line 57: "Out on thee, seeming! I will write against it. You seem to me as Dian in her orb, As chaste as in 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."
200
Line 86: "Marry, that can Hero! Hero itself cannot blot out Hero's virtue. What man was he talked with you yesternight Out at your window betwixt twelve and one? Now, if you are a maid, answer to this."
Claudio
300
What is Leonato's secondary reaction?
He believes it would be better for Hero to die at that moment than face Claudio's accusations. Line 121: "O Fate, take not away thy heavy hand! Death is the fairest cover for her shame That may be wished for."
300
Give an example of deception and dishonesty
Don John knows the truth about Hero, but continues to lie. Line 100: "Fie, fie, they are not to be named, my lord, Not to be spoke of! There is not chastity enough in language, Without offense, to utter them. Thus, pretty lady, I am sorry for thy much misgovernment."
300
Line 71 "This looks not like a nuptial."
Benedick
400
What is Hero's reaction?
She feels vulnerable and attacked Line 81: "O, God defend me, how I am beset! What kind of catechizing call you this?"
400
Give an example of the theme of appearance vs. reality.
When Claudio refuses to marry Hero because he does not think that she is pure. He then gives her back to Leonato... Line 30: "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! O, 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."
400
Line 116: "Come, let us go. These things, come thus to light, Smother her spirits up."
Don John
500
What is Benedick's reaction to the accusation of Hero?
He is joking around and confused because the wedding is not going the way he had imagined. Line 21: "How now, interjections? Why, then, some be as laughing, as ah, ha, he!" Line 71: "This looks not like a nuptial."
500
Give an example of the theme of shame BONUS: What other themes go along with this quotation? Are there any recurring motif's (maybe some from last year)?
When Leonato does not want his own daughter to live after she faints from Claudio's accusations L 131 Do not live, Hero, do not open thine eyes, For, did I think thou wouldst not quickly die, Thought I thy spirits were stronger than thy shames Myself would, on the reaward of reproaches, Strike at thy life.... But mine, and mine I loved, mine I praised And mine I was proud on, mine so much That I myself was to myself not mine, Valuing of her why she, O she, if fall'n Into a pit of ink, that the wide sea Hath drops too few to wash her clean again, And salt too little which may season give To her foul tainted flesh. BONUS: The sea and washing away of sins, from Macbeth
500
"O Hero, what a Hero hadst thou been If half thy outward graces had been placed About thy thoughts and counsels of thy heart! But fare thee well, most foul, most fair. Farewell, Thou pure impiety and impious purity. For thee I'll lock up all the gates of love And on my eyelids shall conjecture hang, To turn all beauty into thoughts of harm, And never shall it be more gracious." BONUS: What is the meaning of this quote, and what themes does it relate too?
Claudio He is saying how she appears to be something which she is not. Her outward beauty and purity does not match her inner thoughts and motives. Because of her, he will not love and he will now always be skeptical of others. *are there any other pieces of literature we have read at Mount that have to do with "most foul, most fair?"*
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