William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing

William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing Much Ado About Nothing is a comedy about deception. In this play we

discover that there are different types of deception: - good deception

and bad deception. Good deception is deception based on good

intentions and the outcome is constructive. Bad deception is deception

based on bad intentions and the outcome is destructive. The whole of

Act IV Scene I is based, entirely, on deception and deceptive plots

that were laid earlier on in the play. Don John's plot to thwart

Claudio reaches its climax. Don John's plan is an example of bad

deception because from the beginning of the play, he wanted to destroy

Claudio.

"If I can cross him any way, I bless myself every way." (Act I Scene

III Line 62- 63)

From the beginning he wishes to thwart Claudio. His plan succeeds and

brings with it a very destructive outcome. He deceives Claudio about

Hero's loyalty and in turn, Claudio deceives Leonato and everybody

that has gathered at the church for the wedding. Claudio deceives Hero

and Leonato by turning up at the church, giving a false impression

that the wedding will continue. He then goes on to deceive everybody

about Hero's innocence by making a big scene and announcing in front

of everybody that he will not marry Hero because she has been

unfaithful. Claudio's talk about deception in this scene is in fact

ironic because he himself has been deceived, but not by the person he

is accusing. However, Claudio's dialogue about deception was genuine