Through similar representations of Hero’s slander, Shakespeare and Whedon argue that honor is revealed more through action than ideology. Shakespeare emphasizes the fragility of Leonato and Hero’s relationship when family honor is at stake. Faced with the allegations exposing Hero’s supposed disloyalty, Leonato realizes that her dishonor reflects badly on his name. Desperate to protect his family honor, Leonato states, “Do not live Hero, do not ope thine eyes” (Shakespeare 4.1.131). Even Leonato, Hero’s own father, wishes her dead because of the accusations made against her. With the actions and statements made with the intention of protecting his honor, Leonato inadvertently taints it from the perspective of the audience. The fact that Leonato…show more content… Selfishness, let alone killing your child, is rarely considered honorable in any situation, yet the idea of honor is often used as justification for such behavior. This hypocrisy calls one’s idea of honor into question. It is difficult to judge a person’s character based solely on what he or she believes is right. Rather, one’s actions reflect one’s truest self and priorities. Similarly, Whedon emphasizes that Claudio’s betrayal of Hero speaks louder than the honor he claims to uphold. During the wedding, the intentional cruelty of Hero’s shaming is made clear through Claudio’s body language. At certain points during the ceremony, Claudio tenderly caresses Hero’s face and holds her as if to enter into an embrace before savagely shoving her towards her father. It is this physical response that can be conveyed through film that more fully illustrates the power of action as an assessment of character and true honor. Because Hero’s innocence is already known to the audience, Claudio is perceived almost as a villain due to the brutal and insensitive way in which he physically deals with a falsely accused
