More coursework woes...
Shit, I spent a WHOLE hour correcting ONE MEASLY paragraph in my coursework, nit-picking on my words, twiddling the phrasing... etc.
I still haven't written the conclusion to this stupid essay. I think I can afford 200 words and go over my count my about 100.
Basically, my intro talks address the fact that Beatrice and Benedict/Claudio and Hero are two lovers but they are different as one is the stereotype of male/female courtship that draws from Matteo Bandello and Ariosto's works, the old tale of man slandering women over her chastity to protect his honor - fear of cuckoldry. Claudio and Hero have simple courtship that is brought on the verge of tragedy but what some would find 'distasteful' would be how easily Hero returns to Claudio after she is defamed on her wedding day and critics have stated the 'sadism' that is Claudio in the scene. In contrast, Beatrice and Benedick seem so much more 'realistic', their love is obviously no momentary infatuation. Their 'merry war', the 'battle of the sexes' between the shrew and misogynist is enjoyed by the audience - juxtapose them with Claudio&H, and they are much more alive and believable.
God...conclusion...conclusion...concluuuuude
that Hero and Claudio don't deserve be so damned as this play is comedy and therefore requires us to suspend disbelief in order for a happy ending. Thus the mourning scene. The final scene where we find ourselves cheering for not only Beatrice and Benedick's kiss but also Claudio and Hero's conjugal because we SEE and FEEL a building to their relationship and we as the audience can see what the characters can't - thus the mourning, Claudio's victimization by Don John, the fact they are young and naive and susceptible...all culminate to an understanding, when we leave our seats that Claudio and Hero have learnt something and that their love is built on a certain tragic event (the catalyst?).
whew.
I still haven't written the conclusion to this stupid essay. I think I can afford 200 words and go over my count my about 100.
Basically, my intro talks address the fact that Beatrice and Benedict/Claudio and Hero are two lovers but they are different as one is the stereotype of male/female courtship that draws from Matteo Bandello and Ariosto's works, the old tale of man slandering women over her chastity to protect his honor - fear of cuckoldry. Claudio and Hero have simple courtship that is brought on the verge of tragedy but what some would find 'distasteful' would be how easily Hero returns to Claudio after she is defamed on her wedding day and critics have stated the 'sadism' that is Claudio in the scene. In contrast, Beatrice and Benedick seem so much more 'realistic', their love is obviously no momentary infatuation. Their 'merry war', the 'battle of the sexes' between the shrew and misogynist is enjoyed by the audience - juxtapose them with Claudio&H, and they are much more alive and believable.
God...conclusion...conclusion...concluuuuude
that Hero and Claudio don't deserve be so damned as this play is comedy and therefore requires us to suspend disbelief in order for a happy ending. Thus the mourning scene. The final scene where we find ourselves cheering for not only Beatrice and Benedick's kiss but also Claudio and Hero's conjugal because we SEE and FEEL a building to their relationship and we as the audience can see what the characters can't - thus the mourning, Claudio's victimization by Don John, the fact they are young and naive and susceptible...all culminate to an understanding, when we leave our seats that Claudio and Hero have learnt something and that their love is built on a certain tragic event (the catalyst?).
whew.