Gender roles is Shakesperean time

Role of women:

In Shakespearean time women were expected to carry out all household duties such as cleaning, cooking and child rearing, which could be seen as their most important function; to reproduce. They could not have a professional job, and instead were taught how to sew, cook, play instruments and manage a household. They could not choose their husbands, fathers or some other male guardian would approve of potential suitors. They were rarely made heirs and they were also expected to behave a certain way. Women were to be meek, religious, polite, graceful and obediant to males.

Role of men:

Men were expected to care for the women in their families, in terms of financial support and decision making. Typically family fortunes would be passed on to men. Women were expected to respect and obey men because they were the dominant sex.

Treatment of illegitimate children:

Illegitimate children were shunned by society. This is because they were the result of a sinful union between an unmarried couple. They often were mistreated and received the least of their father's fortune.

Characters which defy their traditional roles:

In the play, Much Ado About Nothing, characters are presented who break social norms. Beatrice is an outspoken, rude and loud lady, instead of the meek, gentle lady she should be. Inatead of wanting to marry and ultimately serve her husband she vows never to marry saying no man is good enough for her, which displays arrogance and pride typically reserved for the men of that time.

Hero is made her fathers' heir even though she is female. This shows that not all fortunes were passed on to males.

Margaret is involved in the plot to dishonor Hero, showing that not alll women were capable of being virtuous and honest.

It is tradition for a man to marry and reproduce so that his lineage mat be passed on but Benedick does not wish this for himself.

Instead of cursing and mistreating Don John the charaters were all polite and respected him.