William Shakespeare s Much Ado About Nothing - 3544 Words

When examining the plays written by Shakespeare there are many instances where the common theme of marriage is shows. In the times of the 1600’s the ceremony of marriage was very common and done in a very orderly and strict fashion. In those time there was no aspects of a genuine love and heart felt marriage but instead they were seen as an agreement between the two parties. In many of the works of Shakespeare many characters deal with the issue of marriage and you begin to see the toll if had on many women involved in these types of marriages. In many different reviews, Journals and other scholarly works shows that there is proof of how the idea of women played a major role in the lives of women and how they were to be treated.†¦show more content†¦The first question he ask Don Pedro is Claudio says â€Å"Hath Leonato any son, my Lord† (1.1.240). To add to this point the next line which Don Pedro responds by saying â€Å"No child but Hero. She’s his on ly heir. Dost thou affect her, Claudio† (1.1.241). This here proves that Claudio has a motive to be part in this contractual marriage with hero because of the fact that since she is the only heir and will be her Husband he then knows that he will than get all the amenities of Leonato. Since Claudio asked the question if Leonato had any sons strongly showed the simple fact that he wanted to be involved for the simple fact it was going to benefit him. In the end of it all it truly shows how he uses it to benefit him whether or not the love was genuine or just to further himself. The point here is that Claudio’s loyalty to the marriage† can be understood by his reaction to what Don John tells him about Hero. In the initial conversation Don John about accuses Hero of being disloyal to Claudio. Claudio states â€Å"if there be any impediment , I pray you discover it†(3.277). The language Claudio uses is straight from the couple that â€Å"if either of you know any impediment, why ye may not be lawfully joined together in Matrimony, ye do now confess† (The Form of Solemnization of Matrimony† in The Book of Common Prayer). Claudio wants there to be reason for an impediment. As the conversation between the two men continues Don John becomes very direct about why he’s accusing Hero. Don John