S5 E2:  How Virgins Fall…and Bounce Back Up in Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing

Shakespeare’s late 16th century play, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, is a perfect literary work to illustrate the dynamic of a fallen woman.  The accusation.  The shame.  The desire for retribution.  The ruined family.  The confident accuser.  But this story, being a comedy, allows all rifts to heal, and everyone leaves happy, except for the villain, who–surprise, surprise–is literally a bastard...born of a fallen woman. 

Nothing we read this season this will have a scene in which an accused virgin ends up literally on the floor as her accuser rants, nor will any other work give the virgin a do-over, so make sure you join Sonja and Vanessa as they take you through this classic treatment of the fallen woman theme.  What does Shakespeare seem to make of ruining a woman’s reputation (and quite possibly ending her life) with a rumor?  Is it always about the woman?  What recourse do she and her family have?  Can she even count on her family to defend her?  Can we go so far as to say that this nearly 430-year old play subverts patriarchy’s obsession with virginity?  

Along the way, Sonja sings a song about lying men and crowns the best film version of  A CHRISTMAS CAROL, and Vanessa swipes right on a few bastards. 

REFERENCES:

The internet Shakespeare guru that Sonja cites is Sarah Spring, Actor & Coach, and you can find her at @shakespearemadeclear