People everywhere at one point of their lives have experienced the notion of deception whether it be the simple lie of feigning an illness to avoid school or as complex as promising to do something for another person if they agree to a set of certain conditions only to turn around and walk away when they fulfill their end of the bargain. It is a very flexible tool that can be used to support many different types of ambitions and goals. A work of literature that showcases this fact is William Shakespeare's play Much Ado About Nothing. In this play, all the major scenes are focused on the intricate ways deception can play out between the different characters. In addition,nearly all the characters are tricked or play the deceiver in one scene …show more content…
William Shakespeare play Much Ado About Nothing showcases how deception is depicted as having either good or bad outcomes based on the intentions of the deceiver.
Deception can be used as a way to bring people closer together. In act 2, scene 3, Benedick overhears his companions, Don Pedro and Claudio talk to Leonato and Hero about how Beatrice is desperately in love with him, but cannot voice her undying love due to her stubborn and proud nature. They say this intending to be within Benedick’s earshot and hope that their words will invoke a positive change in Benedick’s perception of Beatrice. Reflecting on his companions’ words, leads Benedick to reexamine all of his previous opinions about Beatrice and previous interactions with her. For example, he voices the revelation “By my troth, it is no addition to her wit- nor no great argument to her folly, for I will be horribly in love with her” (2.3, 204-208). This shows Benedick falling for his friends’ trickery and concluding that he must requite Beatrice’s love.
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This side of deception is revealed in the play through the dialogue and actions of Don Pedro’s less socially ranked brother, Don John. Don John first reveals his delusive nature at the mask festival that occurs in the beginning of the novel as he locates Claudio waiting for Don Pedro to come back from wooing Hero for him and tells him that Don Pedro is wooing Hero for himself to marry. Being gullible, Claudio is momentary caught up in his feelings of rage and betrayal. His perception of Don Pedro is altered for the worst and he treats Don Pedro negatively when his friend comes back with Hero. It is not until he realizes that Don Pedro had followed through on his word to woo Hero for him that he releases his repugnant feelings towards him. Afterwards, in act 3, scene 2, Don John approaches Claudio and Don Pedro to falsely announce that Hero is unfaithful. When Claudio questions how he can know Don John’s words are true, Don John responds with “Go with me tonight, you shall see her chamber window entered, even the night before her wedding day” (3.2, 93-94) In these few words, Don John challenges Claudio’s opinion of Hero by instilling doubt in him about her loyalty. Moreover,he cleverly strengthens his lie by having Borachio make out with Margaret in Hero’s bedroom to be seen by Claudio and Don Pedro. Both witness the scene and conclude that Hero is unfaithful, completely falling for Don John’s
In was in Act 2 Scene 3, when Don John came up to both Claudio and his brother Don Pedro to discuss what he saw, Hero “supposedly” cheating on Claudio with another man the night before their wedding. Even though Claudio is naturally very gullible and naive, he first trusted Don John, who is known as the “Bastard,” when he was told that Hero was cheating on him and not Hero, herself. Also, in Act 4 Scene 1, the actual wedding day is when Claudio confronted her in front of an entire audience when Hero clearly states that what he speaks is completely false information given by Don John. Hero said, “I talk’d with no man at the hour, my lord.” (85) The non-exist amount of trust and loyalty they have for each other is unimaginable
William Shakespeare is known for his use of dramatic irony and complicated story lines. In Much Ado About Nothing, he also adds in the element of disguise to what the characters know, or what they think they know. There are multiple characters trying to ensnare others in different facades, whether it be for better or for worse. The deception and illusion in the play can either assist the characters or completely shatter the situation, but in both cases, Shakespeare advises us to infer about what we hear or see before we jump to conclusions.
Evidence to support this reason says, “How you know he loves her? I heard him swear his affection. . . But hear these ill news with the ears of Claudio. ‘Tis certain so; the prince woos for himself. . . trust no agent; for beauty is a witch. . . Farewell, therefore, Hero” (Shakespeare pg. 23). This quote shows how Claudio was easily convinced to believe that Don Pedro loves Hero for himself, even though there wasn’t anything to prove of this, and how he doesn’t even try to ask Don Pedro if this is true or not. Another piece of evidence says, “If I see anything tonight why I should not marry her tomorrow, in the congregation where I should wed, there will I shame her” (Shakespeare pg. 50). This quote shows how again, Claudio was easily convinced by Don John that he will not wed Hero if he sees her being disloyal towards him. This quote also shows how he’s easily convinced to do something due to someone telling him to do so. To sum this all up, Claudio’s manipulation is his second most major tragic
Don John’s follower Borachio reports to Don John, leading to a first attempt of deception to be set up by Don John. The news goes to Don John who says “ Come, come, let us thither. This is food to my displeasure. That young start-up hath all the glory of my overthrow. If I can cross him any way, I bless myself every way…” (Shakespeare 15). Don John immediately sees this plan as an opportunity to do harm both to Claudio- honored for his actions against Don John- and to Don Pedro. Don John is setting the tone of his character as a villain while his brother Don Pedro, is the prince and is very active in the other character’s
This can be seen during his conversation with Beatrice, after every one hears of Hero’s “infidelity”. In this scene, when Don John and Claudio were leaving, Benedick doesn’t follow them. Instead, he sticks around with Beatrice. His action in this scene is highly critical, as it shows that he considers his love for Beatrice more important than his Allegiance to his brothers, Don John and Claudio. This action is something Benedick from the beginning would never think of doing. While in the beginning, Benedick’s allegiance remained rooted to his brothers, it has now pledged allegiance to his lover, Beatrice. In this scene, Benedick is seen to have grown as a person. Instead of losing complete trust due to un-proven rumours like Don Pedro and Claudio, he is able to take in the situation more substantially. He further proves himself during his conversation with Beatrice. By telling Benedick to “Kill Claudio” (Shakespeare 4.1.288), “Beatrice asks for her newly-professed lover the utmost favor: to place his love for her above that of his long-established friendship with Claudio. The command shows that Beatrice and Benedick are now more serious than they were. Rather than jest about serious problems as they did at the play’s beginning, they are now engaged with them” (Smith 182). Although a bit reluctant in the beginning, Benedick decides to follow his lover’s orders, and challenges Claudio to a duel. From this point on, all of Benedick belongs to Beatrice, for “Love is his compass” (Horowitz 50). To Benedick, “Love is immediately the basis for decision over life itself…. [and] Benedick’s love for Beatrice must determine his [decisions]” (Horowitz 49). The fact that Benedick decided to challenge his long-time friend Claudio further proves how much he has changed as a person. To Benedick, Beatrice has now become more important than his fellow
Beatrice asks, Does it make any sense to write and tell him I love you when I have always treated him with scorn?” (2.3.31-34). In this quote all Claudio was saying was that Hero had told him that Beatrice had confessed to her that she was in love with Benedick but was not sure how to let him know That all changed when family and friends helped them both realized they have always been in love with one another. As for Claudio and Hero they are a couple who see eye to eye knowing they are perfect for one another. Even though they had an antagonist that did not want to see them happily married such as Don John, they were able to let it pass and end up happily
... is insensitive, but he says, “For this I owe you…which is the lady I must seize upon” (5.4.98). It can be seen here that he is not excited, but must do it for his life. The true excitement of this arrangement is when he finally has the opportunity to see the face of the girl he must wed and exclaims, “Another Hero!” (5.4.98). It can be said that it took the death of Hero to awaken inside Claudio the man he was meant to be.
Hero is resembled by Claudio as a “well-mannered young lady” who is content with her own unchangeable, elegant personality. This quote shows Hero is matron, and consistent of her elegance throughout the book and it is because of her personality that causes Claudio to be drawn to her. Claudio on the other hand, admits to Don Pedro that he is “hasty in (his) emotions”, which resembles his skeptical and uncertain personality when it comes to actually admitting his love for Hero. This evidence supports how Claudio is unsure of himself, and because of Claudio’s doubtful and unsure qualities he is quick to believe Don John when he says Hero has been unfaithful.
(1.1.60) basically stating how Benedick’s affection towards others is fickle and quick to change. Benedick further proves her statement when he says, “-and I would I could find in my heart that I had not a hard heart; for, truly, I love none.” (1.1.111) Only solidifying his belief in that he “-will live a bachelor,” (1.1.214) due to his lack of trust in women and past experiences with romance, which has ultimately jaded his view on love. Along with this, when Claudio falls in love with Hero, Benedick laments, “-after he hath laughed at such shallow follies in others, become the argument of his own scorn by falling in love- and such a man is Claudio.”
In the book Don John plans on sabotaging the wedding of Claudio and Hero by making Claudio believe that she is having affairs with Borachio. In the book Don John goes and shows Prince and Claudio what it seems that is Hero having sex with Borachio. But it wasn't Hero it was Margaret (Hero's cousin) having affairs with Borachio, but Borachio made it seem like it was Hero just so Claudio will get mad and ruin the wedding. On the wedding day that's when Claudio refuses to marry Hero because of what he saw. Claudio exclaims “Not to be married, Not to knit my soul to an approved wanton”(Act IV, Scene I, 44-45).
In Shakespearean literature, there are many dramatic elements, such as tragedy or treachery, that supports the important themes of Shakespeare’s work. Deception and disguise is commonly used by certain characters in Shakespearean drama which includes a certain purpose as a whole. Even with the relevance of emotion, logic, and ethics appeals; the play “Much Ado About Nothing” showcases a tale where trickery creates an impact between the characters’ relationships of the story. Considering its use of figurative language, the play contributes to the themes that the consequences of an act of trickery is depended on the intended actions of the characters and that disguise can generate malevolent or pleasant outcomes whether it’s benign or significant. For the purpose of how these motifs contribute to the development of the play’s themes, examples of deception and disguise includes the need of concealing one’s identity, Don John’s desires, and the changing relationships of Benedick and Beatrice.
The beginning of the play shows Claudio, on numerous occasions, as gullible and paranoid that everyone is against him. When Don John tells Claudio that Don Pedro has wooed Hero for himself he responds by saying, ““But hear these ill news with the ears of Claudio. Tis’ certain so. The Prince woos for himself” (Shakespeare 24.) This quote shows that Claudio often puts his trust in the wrong people. He takes the word of an enemy, who he has already defeated in battle, over someone who fought along side him and is supposedly his best friend. It also shows how naïve Claudio can be and how easily he will take what others say as the truth without using his better judgment. In this quote, Claudio proves how fast he can turn against someone, even one of his best friends, when he hears they have wronged him. When Don John accuses Hero of being unfaithful to Claudio he says, “If I see anything tonight w...
Deception has an enormous role to play considering the majority of the main characters go through it in some way making them either the victims of it, or the suspects of it. And it is because they are deceived that they act in the ways that they do, causing them to think it is appropriate to deceive others. Even though the initial act of deception is directed against Claudio in an attempt to destroy his relationship with Hero, it is the deceptions that are against Beatrice and Benedick that provides the play's dramatic focus. Nearly every single character in the play at some point has to make suggestions from what he or she sees, or has been spreading what they have been told or overheard. As a result many of the characters at some point plays a part of knowing that they are pretending to be what they are not.
When I read Shakespeare, I feel a connection to a time that has long passed yet the storylines and themes are relevant 400 years later. His words show that humanity which is ever-changing also stays the same. This particular play Much Ado About Nothing covers the theme of deception. Deception is a human trait and thus the characters are identifiable to a new generation of readers. When I read on this particular Saturday afternoon, I felt not only a connection to time, but to a group of people who are connected by one
Offer them instances, which shall bear no less likelihood than to see me at her chamber window, hear me call Margaret “Hero,” hear Margaret term me “Claudio,” and bring them to See this the very night before the intended wedding, for in the meantime I will so fashion the matter that Hero shall be absent, and there shall appear such seeming truth of Hero’s disloyalty that jealousy shall be called assurance and all the preparation overthrown. Don John: Make the arrangements, and I’ll do it (IT.ii.26-43). It is evident that Don John’s plan was carefully thought out to guarantee the restoration of his ego. He wanted both Hero and Claudio to feel the disappointment he felt when he found out about their wedding, so he blatantly manipulates the truth in order to stop the burning agony of his ego. At this point in the play, Claudio’s ego is also hurt because he feels like he has been humiliated and misled by his soon-to-be wife.