An exploration of the theme of Deception, good or bad in MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING (William Shakespeare) and THE ROVER (Aphra Behn)

This essay hasn't yet been marked by one of our teachers

You can view 7 essays on General Studies that have been Marked by Teachers

The first 200 words of this essay...

An exploration of the theme of Deception, good or bad in 'MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING (William Shakespeare)' and 'THE ROVER (Aphra Behn)':

Deception, "the quality of being fraudulent"1 or"to cause to accept as true or valid what is false and invalid"2 is a major theme in both plays 'Much Ado about Nothing' and 'The Rover'. However there is a certain dichotomy for deception here as it is both malign and benign, intentionally good and intentionally bad. Another proof of this is that the two plays are comedies meaning some deceptions have got to be taken lightheartedly and blithely. These are shown in Benedick and Beatrice's gulling and Lucetta's gypping of Blunt aided by Sancho and Philippo.

There are two main comic deceptions in Much Ado these are benign and harmless to the people they are directed against. When Claudio professes his love for Hero to Pedro who strangely, immediately offers his help to woo her for him, he at first sounds too eager to help his friend (as if he has something else in mind) but we soon learn his intentions are well meant.

"I will assume thy part in some disguise, and tell fair Hero