Question 1

SOURCE TEXT:
Read the following extract from Act 2 Scene 1 of Much Ado About Nothing and then answer the question that follows.

At this point in the play, Beatrice and Hero have been discussing their idea of a perfect man. This leads to a conversation about whether or not Beatrice will ever get a husband.

BEATRICE With a good leg and a good foot, uncle, and money enough in his purse, such a man would win any woman in the world if a could get her good will.
LEONATO By my troth, niece, thou wilt never get thee a husband, if thou be so shrewd of thy tongue.
ANTONIO In faith, she's too curst.
BEATRICE Too curst is more than curst, I shall lessen God's sending that way: for it is said, God sends a curst cow short horns, but to a cow too curst, he sends none.
LEONATO So, by being too curst, God will send you no horns.
BEATRICE Just, if he send me no husband, for the which blessing I am at him upon my knees every morning and evening: Lord, I could not endure a husband with a beard on his face, I had rather lie in the woollen!
LEONATO You may light on a husband that hath no beard.
BEATRICE What should I do with him – dress him in my apparel and make him my waiting gentlewoman? He that hath a beard is more than a youth: and he that hath no beard is less than a man: and he that is more than a youth, is not for me, and he that is less than a man, I am not for him: therefore I will even take sixpence in earnest of the bearward, and lead his apes into hell.
LEONATO Well then, go you into hell.
BEATRICE No, but to the gate, and there will the devil meet me like an old cuckold with horns on his head, and say, get you to heaven, Beatrice, get you to heaven, here's no place for you maids. So deliver I up my apes, and away to Saint Peter: for the heavens, he shows me where the bachelors sit, and there live we, as merry as the day is long.

QUESTION:
Starting with this conversation, explore how far Shakespeare presents Beatrice as an independent female character in Much Ado About Nothing.

Write about:
• how far Shakespeare presents Beatrice as an independent female character in this conversation
• how far Shakespeare presents Beatrice as an independent female character in the play as a whole.

Accepted Answer

1. Analyse the extract, focusing on Beatrice's witty and defiant language. How does she subvert the expectations of her uncle and the men around her?
2. Formulate a clear thesis about the extent of Beatrice's independence within the context of the play's society.
3. Structure your essay to explore different aspects of her independence: her wit and intelligence, her views on marriage, and her moral strength.
4. Contrast Beatrice with the more conventional female character, Hero, to highlight Beatrice's unique qualities.
5. Discuss her relationship with Benedick as a partnership of equals, rather than a traditional courtship.
6. Conclude by summarising how Shakespeare creates a powerful and independent female character who challenges the norms of her time.

Question 2

What mistakes do candidates make on this AQA GCSE question?

Accepted Answer

A common mistake is to take Beatrice's anti-marriage statements at face value without considering the comedic context or her eventual marriage to Benedick. A good answer will explore the complexity of her character. Another error is to simply describe her as 'fiery' or 'witty' without analysing the specific language she uses to demonstrate these qualities.

How to approach this question

Full Answer

Common mistakes

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