Every single person has some sort of flaw that keeps them from achieving their dreams. For example, some people are greedy, lazy, or even arrogant. In the work Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare, every character has one of these flaws. The character who is most flawed, is Claudio. This is because he is extremely gullible and disingenuous. First off, no other character in the book was deceived as much as Claudio. When Claudio was first told by Don John that Hero was disloyal to him, Claudio automatically believed him. This is especially embarrassing for Claudio considering the fact that the whole city of Messina hated Don John and thought that he was a mischievous liar. We can see that Claudio was tricked by Don John into thinking …show more content…
He claims that he loves Hero, but is quick to believe that she was not loyal to him. If Claudio had truly loved Hero, then he would have made an attempt of some sort to talk to her about it or at least see if the woman he see was hero. We can see Claudio immediately believe Don John on page 69 when Don John says “I came hither to tell you; and, circumstances shortened-for she has been too long a-talking of- the lady is disloyal” Who hero?” Once again, if Claudio had truly loved her like he claimed he did, then he would have at least made an attempt to talk to Hero about it before publicly humiliating her at their wedding. Another example of Claudio being fake can be found the day after he was tricked into thinking Hero died. This example can be found on page 100 when Claudio says, “Why then, she’s mine. Sweet, let me see your face.” and Antonio interjects, “No, that you shall not till you take her hand before this friar and swear to marry her.” than Claudio proceeds to say, “Give me your hand before this holy friar. I am your husband, if you like of me.” This text shows how Claudio was completely fine with marrying another woman the day after his bride died. All in all, both of the pieces of text evidence show that Claudio is extremely disingenuous and fake, because he told Hero he loved her, and made her feel loved, but he obviously had no emotional connection to
Claudio cannot come out and just say that he has feelings for Hero, he has to seek approval from his male counterparts first. While talking to both Benedick and Don Pedro, Claudio describes his feelings as passion first (I.i.219-220), and then he says, “That I love her, I feel” (I.i.228), indicating that he knows he feels something for Hero, but he is unsure of exactly what his feelings mean.... ... middle of paper ... ...
Hero and Claudio represent the Elizabethan norm in marriage. Claudio is the shrewd, hardheaded fortune hunter and Hero is the modest maiden of conduct books and marriage manuals, a docile young woman. It is important to note that Claudio is more concerned with advancement in Don Pedro's army than he is with love. Therefore, Shakespeare illustrates to the reader through the near tragedy of mistaken identity that Claudio must learn that marriage is more than a business arrangement and become worthy of Hero's love and affection. Source: Ranald, Margaret Loftus. "As Marriage Binds, and Blood Breaks: English Marriage and Shakespeare". Shakespeare Quarterly. Vol 30, 1979: 68-81.
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
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
Shakespeare’s introduction of the other couple in question is in stark contrast to the way in which Beatrice and Benedick were introduced. Claudio and Hero are amorously receptive to one and other from the very start. Upon laying eyes on Hero, Claudio remarks of her to Benedict “is she not a modest young lady?” (1.1.125). Clearly, by having Claudio express his fondness of Hero to Benedick, the playwright directly compares the older and more cynical to the more young and naive, allowing the reader to see the contrasting personas of the two men. This is reinforced by Benedick, who after finishing listening to Claudio’s rhetoric on the charms of the young Hero (“in m...
He does not make excuses or try to escape the situation. For example, when Don John lies to Claudio and Don Pedro about Hero’s disloyalty. “For she has been too long a-taking of-the lady is disloyal”(Shakespeare 89-90). This shows how easily conflict could have been avoided because all Claudio and Don Pedro have to do is ask anyone and they would find out that Don John’s accusations were false.
Shakespeare shows how important it is in the relationship between Claudio and Hero. Twice in the play Claudio was tricked into believing that someone he loves has questionable character by a person who he knows is evil. Claudio is gullible enough to be tricked when Don John leads him to believe that his friend is wooing Hero for himself rather than for his sake. Claudio believes that his friend Don Pedro is wooing the girl he loves for himself, he says “Tis certain so; the prince woos for himself.Friendship is a constant in all other things save in the office and affairs of love”(Shakespeare 2.1 52-54). If Claudio would trust his friend he would never be able to be tricked by Don John. Claudio lets himself be fooled by Don John more than
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
When he arrives in Messina with the Army he sees hero and falls in love with her instantly. He plans to make hero fall in love with him and marry her. In the play he convinces Don Pedro to woo hero in his name at the Masquerade Ball. At the end of the ball Claudio and Don Pedro’s plan works and Claudio plans on marrying Hero. Claudio himself says that “Would it even be possible to buy a jewel as fare and precious as hero.” He says this when he is talking with Benedick about Hero when he first sees her. This shows the influence of Don Pedro’s actions on Claudio. Alongside Don Pedro and Leonato, Claudio helps them try to convince Benedick that Beatrice is in love with him. They enter the orchid when Benedick is there and they tell lies about Beatrice in order to convince him of her love. Claudio says that “Once the music has ended, we’ll give him more than he bargained for.” This quote shows that when the music ends they will put the plans into action and fool Benedick. However later on in the play Don John brings Claudio and Don Pedro with him to try to ruin Claudio’s marriage. He has one of his friends Borachio sleep with Margret in the name of hero so it looks like Claudio will be cuckolded if he marries Hero. Therefore, Claudio
They had been to the town before, and this time Claudio confessed his love for the governor’s daughter, Hero. Because Leonato is so fond of Claudio, the wedding is set to be a few days away. This gives Don John, Claudio’s bastard brother, a chance to show his true hatred for Claudio. He comes up with a scheme to make Claudio think that Hero is cheating by dressing Margaret in her clothing and perching her near the window with another man. When Claudio sees this, he says that he will humiliate Hero instead of marrying her.
Tricking her to believe that Don Pedro himself has feelings for Hero: ‘I will assume thy part in disguise, and tell fair Hero that I am Claudio, and in her bosom I’ll unclasp my heart, and take her hearing prisoner with the force and strong encounter of my amorous tale. Then after, to her father will I break: and the conclusion is, she shall be thine.’ - Don Pedro. o (Act I, Scene I: Lines 276 - 282). It is reported to Don John by Borachio that “…The Prince should woo Hero for himself, and having obtained her, give her to Count Claudio.
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.
Borachio and Don John had conspired to cause Claudio and Don Pedro To slander Hero. “Not honestly, my lord, but so covertly that no dishonesty shall appear in me.”(2.2.9-10) They devised a way to make it look like Hero had had a romantic affair with Borachio,and set it up so that it would be discovered by Claudio the night before the wedding took place. Claudio then swore that he would shame her with what he saw overnight. Don John’s goal was to steal happiness from his brother and brother’s friends in any way possible, solely out of
Don Pedro and his men return from the war and visit the house of Leonato and his brother, Antonio. This sudden meeting reunites Beatrice with her archrival, Benedick, and it is here that Claudio and Hero fall in love.
as they are told, and as Hero, Claudio’s future wife, had not been. faithful and therefore disrespectful, the blame was shifted to her. However, this was embarrassing for Claudio, and his anger was. great, making him seem aggressive. As the play begins to end.