Much Ado About Nothing Deception Analysis

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In the play Much Ado About Nothing written by William Shakespeare the theme of deception is very conspicuous. Throughout the play, characters are constantly eavesdropping in on conversations or situations that they believe they should not be a part of. While some of these encounters may have seemly positive results, I believe that the deception many of the characters experience have very negative outcomes. Examples of the mischievous deceits can be clearly seen through the trick that Don Jon maliciously played on Claudio. In Act 3 Scene 2, Don Jon the Bastard deceives his brother (Don Pedro) and Claudio. Don Jon has come up with a gimmick to fool Claudio and Don Pedro into thinking that Hero has been unfaithful to Claudio when she was truly innocent, and to ultimately ruin Claudio’s happiness. Don Jon tells Claudio and Don …show more content…

He instructs Claudio and Don Pedro to, “Go but with me tonight, you shall see her chamber window entered, even the night before her wedding day. If you love her then, tomorrow wed her. But it would better fit your honor to change your mind” (3.2. 581). Later that night, Don Jon leads Don Pedro and Claudio to Hero’s chamber window where he had Margaret and Borachio set up to hoax a scene of Hero being unfaithful. Don Jon lead them there with no intention but to ruin Claudio and Hero’s marriage, and he did just that. Once Claudio saw the display of adultery, he decided to not call off the wedding, but to publicly shame Hero in front of all of her friends and family. The next day at the wedding, Claudio exposes Hero for her

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