Discussion of the presentation of women in "Much Ado About Nothing" - How might different audiences react to this presentation?

In "Much Ado About Nothing", women are presented in a number of different ways. Some conform to the behaviour expected of women at the time whilst others rebel against their unequal status in a patriarchal society. In most cases the women in the play behave according to their social standing. Generally speaking, the lower the status, the greater amount of freedom. Two women in the play, Hero and Margaret, illustrate this point well. As the …

…Nothing" is generally in keeping with Elizabethan society's attitude to women. This view has changed over time and is reflected by the modern criticisms and interpretations of the play. The world of Messina is in some ways a flawed society: outwardly merry and tolerant, but concealing ugly stains of patriarchy and inequality; its mistreatment of women, its moral double standards, its concern with social hierarchy, its shallow, idle ostentatious and selfish lifestyle all demean women.