William Shakespeare's writings reflected and sometimes emphasized the stereotypical gender-oriented roles and responsibilities of the English Renaissance. However, many Shakespearean characters, including Benedick and Beatrice from Much Ado About Nothing, challenged the standard image and characteristics of men and women. During the Renaissance period, males were seen as the leaders of society who should be the decision makers and breadwinners for their interests. families. Men were considered the biologically, physically, mentally, economically, and politically superior gender to women. Because he abandoned his male friends and, more importantly, challenged traditional gender roles, Benedick would have been considered an effeminate man in his time. Shakespearean society was clearly patriarchal where women were expected to be subordinate to men and not the other way around. However, Benedick goes against the ideologies of his era when in the play he repeatedly believed that women preferred men and obeyed women's orders. For example, he stayed at Hero's wedding and believed his protests...