Beatrice: A character that challenges the gender roles

In contradiction to Hero that succumbed in conformity to the roles of a woman that is

assigned by the patriarchal society of Messina, her cousin, Beatrice is explicit in her conviction
that opposes the biased, assigned gender roles. Beatrice is a shrew that flaunted her wit and is
outspoken in the company of men, projecting a bold statement that as a woman, she is not
inferior than, but an intellectual equal to the men. This is illustrated in act 1 scene 1, whereby
Beatrice’s negligence to observe the decorum of conversation illustrates her position in the play
as a character that challenges the gender roles. In Messina’s male dominated society, women are
expected to be polite and manifest respect in conversations with men. Beatrice, refusing to
comply with the gender roles has boldly provoked Benedick’s masculinity by exchanging
derogatory remarks, the manner only men converse.

Besides that, Beatrice’s stance on marriage reflects her as a character that challenges the
gender roles. Through marriage, a woman in Messina is granted an identity and deemed as
significant. Beatrice refused to acquire her identity and establish the significance of her existence
from men through marriage. As illustrated in Act 2 Scene 1 during a conversation with her uncle,
although she was warned about her obstinance to submit to men that can grant her an identity is
an afterlife punishment to lead apes to hell, she was firm on her stance to not marry.

References:
Journal Article:

Cook, C. (1986).The Sign and Semblance of Her Honor": Reading Gender Difference in Much
Ado about Nothing. 101(2), 186-202. doi: 10.2307/462403. Retrieved from
http://www.jstor.org/stable/462403

Book:

Callaghan, D. (2016). A Feminist Companion to Shakespeare: Blackwell Companions to

Literature and Culture. John Wiley & Sons.