Women of the Elizabethan era were usually submissive to men. Their goal was to find a good man to marry an start a family with. In most of Shakespeare's plays this was the case, there were however a few well known exceptions. In Shakespeare's MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, Beatrice and Hero keep each other grounded despite having completely different personalities. Beatrice is nothing like the women of the Elizabethan era. She is witty, sharp-tongued, she will talk back to men and she is not a firm believer of marriage. Where as Hero is quiet, respectful and just waiting to fall in love. Even though they are seemingly different, they are the best of friends.
Firstly, Beatrice is one of the main female characters in this play. She is niece of Leonato and is unfortunately an orphan, reason of which she has immense freedom. Having so much freedom explains why she is so different from the other women of that time. She did not have the same respect for men since she did not grow up with a father figure like Hero for instance. Being Leonato's niece, makes her Hero's cousin, which explains their close friendship. She is extremely protective of her cousin Hero, and puts her before anyone. Beatrice does not like the idea of marriage and falling in love to her is nothing important what so ever. Being as witty as she is, Beatrice often bickers with men, especially Benedick. Beatrice and Benedick always have arguments in which their goal is to outwit each other. Beatrice seems to be a very strong woman and is fully capable of dealing with many situations thrown at her. Her vulnerability however, comes out eventually. Don Pedro, among others, know that Beatrice puts up a front, that she is not truly as arrogant as she sometime acts. Her bickering with Benedick is sign of love, and everyone is well aware of this. Since it is so obvious, Don Pedro eventually suggests to trick Beatrice