Racial and Cultural Stereotypes Are a Big NO NO

Shakespeare lived during a time when certain people or ways-of-living were not accepted or looked down upon. He lived during the pre-industrial age of Europe. This was during a time when slavery was widely accepted in society, certain religions and cultures were slandered with no just cause, and there was no well-developed system of laws that prohibited actions against a community's stereotypes. Throughout the play, "Much Ado About Nothing", Shakespeare makes many inferences to negative stereotypes of specific cultures, races, and genders. He refers to certain races or cultures, specifically Jews and Blacks, with negative metaphors. Near the end of scene three in Act II, he specifically states, "If I do not love her, I am a Jew." Benedick compares Jews to him not loving Beatrice. This phrase connotes that Jews are heartless and uncaring in the matters of love. Another example is when Claudio is arranged to marry Leonato's brother's daughter. He says to Leonato that even if the girl was African, he would keep his honor and marry her. Africans were considered unattractive back then and Shakespeare uses that opinion in his play. I personally believe that indeed Shakespeare wholeheartedly agreed with these stereotypes and supported them. Otherwise, why else would he use them in his play? He he was against them, I think he would have shown these examples in a more negative and thought-provoking manner. The playwright was in NO WAY attempting to end these stereotypes. This in conclusion, supports the fact that Much Ado About Nothing" is in some ways, a biased and questionable piece of literature.