Literature Memoir Essay

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Honor in Shakespeare’s’ Much Ado about Nothing
The play, was Shakespeare’s comedic works, possibly authored towards the end of the sixteenth century. The play features various romantic relationships, all who take an unexpected twist, culminating in the jilting of Hero by Claudio on suspicion of infidelity, and the unintended confession of love between Benedick and Beatrice. Through this play, Shakespeare addressed a myriad of themes prevalent in the English society of the time, with the play centered around the wanton folly of gossip, and its potentially detrimental effect on human interaction and especially romantic relationships. The play also offers an insightful role in affording a perspective into the primary considerations for affection during the Shakespearean times, with a particular interest in the value of honor to their society.
Arguably, honor was a central determinant of human interaction at the times material to the play. This is especially evident from the diction of the main protagonists, rife with witty banter, a common attraction for the elite. This, and other instances of seemingly noble character are very telling of the place of honor in their society. Further, it offers an informative rationale for the various actions undertaken by the characters in an attempt at upholding honor. An exemplary instance of this being the infamous request by Beatrice, asking her lover Benedick to kill Claudio as an expression of love.
Contrary to popular belief, this request may have been then doing other influences, perhaps honor, as opposed to revenge.

In the society of honorable men depicted in the play, it is likely that Claudio had fallen out of favor for her perceived dishonor. Her untimely jilting at the altar for alleged infidelity and unchaste conduct largely informed this mistaken opinion. Such a display of lack of honor was harshly frowned upon and believed to taint not only the accused woman but also her society as a whole, perhaps prompting Beatrice to yearn her death. The place of honor was also emphasized by a reinvented attitude expressed through the phrase, ‘…hath drops too few to wash her clean again’ (Ohge et al. 49)

Works cited
Ohge, Christopher, et al. “At the Axis of Reality: Melville’s Marginalia in The Dramatic Works of William Shakespeare.” Leviathan 20.2 (2018): 37-67.