Blog #4- Much Ado About Nothing, Act IV
Act IV: Choose one of the following options for your
blog comment. When you post, title your
comment with the option you chose. Remember
to sign your post with your first initial, last name, and class period.
Option 1
- Explain the allusions to Dian and Venus.
- Explain the allusion to Hercules.
- Why does Shakespeare use the allusions? What makes then effective?
Option2
Give specific
details that illustrate the tone of the wedding scene is far from the joy
conventionally associated with the comic world. Use cited evidence.
Option 2
ReplyDeleteThe Wedding kicks off in Act 4 Scene 1 Page 1 with Leanato saying "All right, Friar Francis, let’s keep this short. Do a simple ceremony, and list all the particular duties of marriage later." which makes the wedding feel less formal and rushed in the sense of they don't want to enjoy the moment. Then the wedding continues on with plot twists that were set up in Act 2. Then more into Act 4 Scene 1 Claudio throws a wrench in to things by saying "I won’t be married. I won’t join my soul to such a proven slut." (Act 4 Scene 1 Page 3) Which makes this wedding feel even more unofficial and Chaotic. The wedding comes to an end with Hero "passing away" when in reality she has fainted and is trying to get the people who talked bad on her to confess.
I agree with the tone that you portray for the wedding. I feel like Friar Francis made the wedding feel rushed and as if they should not have a good time like at a normal wedding. The wedding is ruined by a scheme that Don John and Borachio did to think Hero cheated on Claudio. This then caused Claudio to call Hero out in front of everyone at their wedding. This then led to her faked death to make everyone feel remorse for her. B.Massengale 7th
DeleteIn Act IV, Claudio states “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” (4.1.54-58). He said this to Hero after she was accused for not being loyal. Dian was the virgin goddess of the sun and moon, while Venus was the goddess of victory, fertility, and prostitution. The purpose of this allusion was to contrast Claudio’s first impression of Hero to his impression of her after she was accused for being a common whore. Later in the act, Beatrice states that any man who tells a lie and sticks to it is as brave as Hercules. Hercules is a Greek figure that is famous for his strength and bravery. These allusions provide an easy way for the performers to explain different situations in front of an audience.
ReplyDeleteE. Crawford (5th Period)
I agree/ like your response because it explains the allusions of Dian, Venus, and Hercules accurately. In my opinion, I like that Shakespeare uses these allusions because it provides a way to say something without really saying it. Using allusions helps a reader read in between the lines and understand the story more, by adding references to other things. Allusions also can make a readers understand things that they might not have known before, like if they did not know who Dian was they would have looked her up to be able and understand the text. In my opinion allusions are fun and add creativity to writing.
DeleteL. Miller 7th
Option 1
ReplyDeleteG.Cime 2nd Period
For the allusion to Dian and Venus in Act 4 Scene 1 Line 53-58, it has Claudio yelling at Hero for being fake. He compared her to a goddess. He said she at first was like Diana who was the virgin goddess of the hunt and moon then she turned into Venus who was the goddess of love generally portrayed as fickle and promiscuous. He basically claims that she pretended to be a virgin when she was not one.
For the allusion to Hercules in Act 4 Scene 1 Line 316, it has Beatrice talking to Benedick about how all the men she knows just lie and swear on it bravely like Hercules. She uses Hercules as an examples because he is know to be a brave character and the lies they tell, they would need bravery for them. Shakespeare uses allusions to help the audience see what he is talking about and gives an example. The thing that makes them effective is that we usually know what he is making an allusion to, so it easier to get.
Personally, I understood Shakespeare's allusions better than some of the other forms of comparison he uses. I studied gods and goddesses in middle school, so the connections I was able to make helped me better understand the scene. Another thing, I hadn't made the virgin connection like you did, well done! I researched Venus and saw she was said to be seductive and promiscuous but I didn't get why that would connect to Hero. (Z. Simmons 1st)
DeleteOption 2:
ReplyDeleteIn act 4, Scene 1 Leonato says to keep the wedding short and simple. He is saying he just wants a short and to the point wedding, nothing to big. They did not really have a guest list, anyone who wanted to come was invited. The wedding was very rushed and simple. Later on in the scene, Claudio falsely accuses Hero that she is not a virgin and that she cheated on him. He says he won't be married to a slut, so that complicates the wedding. Hero passes out, leaving them to believe that she died. (S. Bates 7)
I feel like this scene shows a lot about Leonato’s character. For example, after Hero was accused of cheating on Claudio, Leonato said so many hurtful things before asking his daughter if it was even true. The fact that the wedding was supposed to be short and simple says a lot as well. (E Crawford 5)
DeleteIn act 4, scene 1 Leonato commands to keep the wedding short and simple, to the point. The wedding should be nothing to big. They did not arrangements, or guest lists already planned for the wedding, it was very rushed and seemed unorganized. Later on in the scene, Claudio falsely accuses Hero that she cheated on him the other night so that complicates the wedding, leading Hero to pass out and making everyone believe that she died. (C. Le 7)
ReplyDeleteEven though I did not do this option I agree with you on the fact that the wedding seemed rushed and very unorganized. Again, I think that Claudio has trust issues because he accused his fiancé of cheating on him, and her passing out did not help, it only complicated the situation. (A.Davis 1st)
DeleteIn Act 4, Scene 1, Leonato says, "All right, Friar Francis, lets keep this short. Do a simple ceremony, and list all the particular duties of marriage later." (4.1.1-3) This shows how they dont want the joy of an actual marriage and they dont want it to last long. It continues with Claudio saying no to marry Hero. The people did not get that he was actually being serious so it continues with Hero saying i do. Later in Act 4, Scene 1, Claudio says, "I wont be married. I wont join my soul to such a proven slut." (4.1.2) Claudio says this in front of everyone at the wedding, including Hero, which definitely makes the wedding not so joyful and fun to have. 7th- B.Massengale
ReplyDeleteOption 1
ReplyDeleteAct IV, Scene iv, Page 48
In this scene, Claudio makes references to Diana and Venus. Diana and Venus are goddesses of Roman mythology. He tells Hero that at first, she seemed to be as divine as Diana, the goddess of nature and wildlife. But he has realized that instead, Hero is more like a wild and untamed Venus, goddess of beauty, love, and desire.
Later in scene one, Beatrice makes a reference to Hercules, stating that "manhood is melted into curtsies, valor into compliment, and men are only turned into tongue, and trim ones too. He is now as valiant as Hercules that only tells a lie, and swears it" (IV.i.p55). She made the reference to point out that men are becoming less and less manly. They tell foolish lies, swear by them, and are deemed as brave as Hercules was.
I think Shakespeare uses allusions as a way to compare someone to someone else in a more detailed and vivid way. They make a comparison and give a little background information at the same time. Shakespeare's indirect references allow the reader to get a better understanding of his work by mentioning things that are more familiar to any reader, like Cupid. Z. Simmons 1st
Right as the friar begins to speak, he says "You come hither, my lord, to marry this lady?" (Act 4 Scene 1 Line 4). Claudio replies with no, where Leonato explains that the Friar is the one that marries the two, and Claudio has come to marry Hero, a dry joke that didn't need to be said, along with Claudio's cold response. Claudio's attitude was also cold, saying things like "Not to knit my soul to an approved wanton." (Act 4 Scene 1 line 41).which caused a domino effect of wrath towards Hero once he revealed what he "knew", even from her father, who said "...Do not live, Hero, do not ope thine eyes, For, did I think thou wouldst not quickly die, Thought I thy spirits were stronger than thy shames, Myself would, on the rearward of reproaches, strike at thy life."(Act 4 Scene 1 line 122-27). Thus, the tone is a dark and grim.
ReplyDeleteDsmith 5th period.
Option 1
ReplyDeleteAllusions to Dain and Venus.
Act IV scene 1 page 48
" You seem to me as Dian in her orb, as chaste as the bud ere it be blown. But you are more intemperate in your blood than Venus or those pampered animals." In this scene Claudio makes the allusion to Dian, the goddess of the moon to say that this is what he thought Hero was. Then he alludes to her as Venus, the goddess of sexual love to show or signify that she is now impure.
Allusion of Hercules.
Act IV scene 1 page 55
" But manhood is melted into curtsies, valor into complement, and men are only turned into tongue, and trim ones too. He is now as valiant as Hercules that only tells a lie and swears it." In this scene Beatrice alludes Hercules and states that men have now become so good at lying that they swear by it and then say that they are as brave as Hercules. It shows that in order to tell a lie you have to be brave.
Shakespeare Allusions.
Since Shakespeare is not considered modern English he uses allusions to connect to his readers and help them relate to it more. He uses it to connect one of his characters to another character that would be familiar, like Hercules.
A.Davis 1st
Option 2: Right off the bat the wedding begins and there's not much joy to be shared. For me the comic part of just the beginning lines are, "Firar Francis: (to CLAUDIO) You come hither, my lord, to marry this lady? Claudio: No...." (lines 4-6)It moves on to Hero saying yes even when the groom flat out said no. It also comical because they have only met just a few days ago and were only engaged for less than a day and he already is opposing. The tone of the wedding is very accusing and not very joyous. Most of it is comical in the way he presents himself by opposing the girl he supposedly loved and wanted to marry. For instance he asks the father to give away his daughter after saying no," Claudio: Stand thee by, Friar.—Father, by your leave, Will you with free and unconstrainèd soul
ReplyDeleteGive me this maid, your daughter? Lenonato: As freely, son, as God did give her me.... 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."
This part to me is the huge shade and accusation upon hero which sets the entire tone for the rest of the scene. AK 1st Donaldson
S.Laguerre 2nd period. The tone is quite shocking and sad because Claudio and Don Pedro confront and tell Hero that she is a "skank" and "whore" because they think that she is sleeping with someone else and cheating on Claudio when it turns out that Hero is not in fact cheating on Claudio. An example would be in Act 4 Scene 1 "But she is none; She knows the heat of a luxurious bed; Her blush is guiltiness, not modesty." Claudio is describing what he thinks as Hero's wrong deeds.
ReplyDeleteOption 2: In Act 4 Leonato states, "Come, Friar Francis, be brief, only to the plain form of marriage, and you shall recount their particular duties afterwards." (4.1.1-3) The tone present in this scene is rushed, like they do not really care about the wedding itself, only them actually being married. Once Friar Francis asks if there is anyone who has a reason the two should not get married, Claudio then proceeds to call out Hero in front of everyone, saying she had an affair on him. "... But she is none. She knows the heat of a luxurious bed. Her blush is guiltiness, not modesty." (4.1.39) This then sets a tone of anger and betrayal. This wedding scene is the total opposite of what the comic world wedding's are, because in the comic world weddings are joyful and happy. they are also the opposite of rushed in which people tend to like to take their time and enjoy themselves in all ceremonies in the wedding. Weddings are supposed to be fun and exiting.
ReplyDeleteL. Miller 7th