Stereotypes

Shakespeare places stereotypes in his comedy Much Ado About Nothing because he both believes in them and uses them to create humor. A stereotype that Shakespeare believes in and is present in the play is his stereotype regarding the roles and characteristics of gender. He puts emphasis on the strength and power of men constantly throughout the play. In the first scene, the prince and his men arrive at Messina and are characterized by strength and power. Men are also the only guards of Messina, as seen in the beginning of the third scene of act three with Dogberry, Verges, and the watchmen. In general, Shakespeare places authority with men. The governor, the prince, the villain, the religious leader, and even the head of the watch are all men. Shakespeare believes that men are powerful. Women on the other hand are weak and must be guided and they have no place in authority. They are treated without trial, as seen when Hero is accused of having been with a man as Don Perdro says, "Why, then you are no maiden--" (IV.I.85). Hero even needs permission from her father to get married. Shakespeare makes it clear that women are at the feet of men.
Shakespeare on the other hand uses stereotypes for humor as well. Dogberry, the head of the watch is made to be an idiot as he uses words incorrectly and confuses men of higher class. When Dogberry is speaking with Don Pedro he makes the mistake of mixing up his organization of ideas and gives a confusing message to Don Pedro (V.I.201-206). This amusing man created by Shakespeare is there to provide humor but because he is so stupid I believe that Shakespeare is trying to give us a message. Dogberry is so unrealistically dumb that Shakespeare is telling us that men of lower class such as Dogberry really do have brains and that the stereotype that all men like this are stupid is not true. Shakespeare uses sterotypes in the comedy Much Ado About Nothing because he both believes in them and to give a message to his audience.