The Device of a Masked Dance in Act Two Scene One of William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing

The Device of a Masked Dance in Act Two Scene One of William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing

Shakespeare uses the device of a masked dance in Act II Scene I for

many reasons, mainly for the entertainment value of an Elizabethan

audience these were the people Shakespeare intended the play to be

viewed by, and also to dramatically further the plot.

Using a masked dance allows for many characters to be in the same

place at the same time, allowing all of the different social classes

to mix and interact, something which would not normally have happened

in Elizabethan times.

This would have had a pleasing effect on the 'groundlings' watching

the performance and also one of amusement to the 'aristocrats' in the

audience who would take delight in seeing how much better they are

than the groundlings.

With all these people in the same place at the same time, confusion,

mistaken identity, misunderstanding, and deception I sure to occur,

which enable the plot to enhance and gain an eager interest from the

audience.

During the scene there is dancing, laughing, joking, music, fancy

dress, colourful masks and general light-heartedness. This has an

amusing, entertaining and stimulating effect on the whole audience, as

there is a lot to see and do throughout the scene.

All the colour, music and dancing means huge entertainment value for

the whole audience, as it not only amasses all the characters, but

reveals different sides to some of the main characters in the play,

which we may only have had a hint of before hand.

For example, in previous scenes, when talking about his love for Hero,

Claudio swore that his undying love f...

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...riage is like a Scotch Jig. Shakespeare intended Beatrice's

character to reflect Queen Elizabeth's mannerisms to entertain and

amuse the audience and she was the present Queen at the time this play

would have been on at the theatres.

We also learn a lot more about Claudio, that he is fickle and easily

led on by those around him and does not have much faith in the woman

he supposedly loves. He is quick to change his mind on how he feels as

one minute he is madly in love with her and then next he hates her.

Overall, the use of a masked dance in Act II Scene I of 'Much Ado

about Nothing' is a very effective way of providing humour, mixing

social classes, furthering the plot and most of all catering for the

entire range of people present in and Elizabethan audience, which was

Shakespeare's main aim when writing a play.