Beatice is believed to the first woman in Shakespeare's writing to "have a brain" (ref: Page 132 Shakespeare's Happy Comedies, by John Dover Wilson). Women of Shakespeare's time lived very much in the shadows and men were the dominant sex. An example of the "traditional" women is Hero. Hero let the men around her rule life, she answers to the male influence, such as her father and husband-to-be. An example in Act1, scene2 where Hero's father and uncle discuss marriage arrangements and the "preparation" that needs to be done with Hero before she is confronted with the question of marriage. This is why Hero isn't idealised as her cousin Beatrice, Hero posses little wit and is easily dictate to. Conversely Beatrice is very outspoken and independent from the men in her life, on many occasions she speaks preferring to die a virgin then to be married. A conversation takes place between Leonato, Beatrice's uncle, Antonio, Leonato's Brother and Beatrice, were Leonato asks Beatrice that if she doesn't bring children into this world, won't she go to hell? To this Beatrice replies: .
.
"No, but at 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 long.".
II i 43-49.
Furthermore the marriage arrangements between each couple should be noted. Hero's marriage is very family orientated and consult from her father is necessary, in fact Hero's father on consults his daughter on what approach she should take in accepting the marriage proposal from Don Pedro, the Prince of the play, rather than consulting her on how she felt. Benedick too, has to ask for consent to marry Beatrice from her uncle Leonato, whom does nothing to intervene, and leaves his niece to choose what she believes is right.
