Claudio has only known Hero for a while yet he claims he is in love with her. So this raises the question as to how sincere Claudio really is. I think that Claudio does realise that the fact that he has fallen in love with Hero so suddenly may seem odd because this quote proves it “But lest my liking might to sudden seem.” Hero is a potentially rich lady. The idea of ‘Love at first sight’ some people believe in, yet some don’t, but this idea was very popular in Shakespeare’s time. For example in the play ‘Romeo and Juliet’ this happens and they both fall in love with each other at first sight and their love is sincere.
We are given the impression that Claudio is a brave soldier as Leonato says “…I find here, that Don Pedro hath bestowed much honour on a young Florentine called Claudio.” From what Claudio says about Hero we can tell he is shy yet a romantic character and is obsessed and truly in love with her.
Don Pedro and Claudio discuss the latter’s affection for Hero. This establishes Claudio as a romantic character, and let’s us know about a plot where Don Pedro offers to approach both Leonato and Hero on his behalf. Don Pedro plans to disguise himself as Claudio, and to reveal his love to Hero at the forthcoming celebrations. Borachio overhears Don Pedro and Claudio talking about their plan. He tells Don John and Don John immediately sees a possible opportunity for mischief. Don John is evidently jealous of Claudio’s newly acquitted reputation and resolves to think upon a plot to thwart his intended marriage.
Don John who is taking full advantage of Claudio’s disguise reveals to him that Don Pedro intends to woo Hero for himself. Benedick enters after Borachio and Don Johns departure with the news that Don Pedro has been successful in wooing Hero. Benedick says “…for the Prince hath got you Hero.” Claudio replies with “I wish him joy of her.” Claudio is upset and tells Benedick to leave. This scene shows Claudio’s gullibility. He has believed what Don John and Borachio told him, not asked any questions or made any comments to Don Pedro just accepted it and wishes Don Pedro joy from Hero. This shows Claudio as a weak innocent character. Also how untrusting and suspicious Claudio is. It also shows us that he is to easily sway. People think they are able to take advantage of Claudio.
I think that Hero and Claudio do not appear to be confident around each other. This is shown in Act two when Claudio asks Don Pedro to woo Hero for him.
Don John and Borachio are now determined to plan a villainous plot. Hero and Claudio are set to be married so Borachio has a plan which is far more dishonest that the first. He proposes to persuade Margaret, who is Hero’s maid to disguise herself in Hero’s clothes and to act out a brief scenario with him in the presence of Claudio and Don Pedro. Borachio says “Go then, find me a meet hour, to draw Don Pedro and the Count Claudio alone, tell them that you know that Hero loves me…” Don john is pleased with the plan and sets out to learn their day of marriage.
Act three, Scene two Don John and Borachio plan is put to practise. Don John approaches Don Pedro and Claudio with the startling news that Hero has been unfaithful and that he can prove the allegation. Don John says a cunning speech “…you may think I love you not, let that appear after and aim better at me by that I now will manifest, for my brother…” Don Pedro asks what’s the matter. Don John claims, “…The Lady is disloyal.” Claudio asks whom Hero? Don John replies “Even she, Leonato’s Hero, everyman’s Hero.” Don John is claiming that Hero is every mans and is truly unfaithful. That Hero is basically a whore. Don Pedro doesn’t think what Don John is saying is true so Don John says “If you dare not trust that you see, confess not that you know: if you follow me, I will show you enough, and when you have seen more, and heard more, proceed accordingly.” Claudio says “if I see anything tonight, why I should not marry her tomorrow in the congregation, when I should wed, there will I shame her.2 Don Pedro says “And as I wooed for thee to obtain her, I will join in thee, to disgrace her. Later on in Act three, Scene two Borachio and Conrade are talking and Borachio says “…Claudio enrag’d, swore he would meet her as he was appointed next morning at the temple and there before the whole congregation shame her, with what saw o’er night, and send her home again without a husband.
These Scenes with the cunning plan shows us that Claudio immediately comes up with a plan of how he will show Hero up on their wedding day. I ask the question would someone who has just found out his or her wife to be has been disloyal think of a plan so soon after hearing it to shame her?
Act Three, Scene Five is the wedding day. The Friar asks “if either of you know and inward impediment why you should not be conjoined, I charge you on your souls to utter It.” Claudio asks Hero whether she has any she replies “none my Lord.” The Friar asks Claudio and Leonato quickly answers none. Claudio shouts “…Give not this rotten orange to your friend…she know the heat of a luxurious bed.” Don Pedro joins in and says, “…to link my dear friend to a common stale.” Hero faints and is thought to have been struck dead. Claudio, Don John and Don Pedro storm out of the church. Leonato disowns Hero is a speech full of self-pity.
Claudio thinks Hero is dead and after the disastrous wedding we see Claudio, Benedick and Don Pedro talking. We see Claudio behave in a manner, which shows that he does not feel guilty despite supposable murdering Hero.
When Claudio finds out that he wronged the ‘dead’ Hero he seems genuinely in remorse. Is Claudio a genuine character? Claudio agrees to Leonato’s requests and accepts the proposal of marriage to Leonato’s ‘niece’ the following morning that is actually Hero.
At first sight Claudio seems a romantic character. Before he appears on stage he is praised for his achievements in the recent battle. Claudio seems a very vulnerable character. He is young and people therefore take advantage of this. There are many speeches Claudio makes where the romantic tone is unmistakable. I wonder whether Claudio really knows himself whether he is in love with Hero or not. Claudio lacks the experience to determine accurately the motives of others, although he has no reason to believe in Don Pedro’s alleged treachery. Claudio reacts first and then rationalises after.
I think Claudio is worthy of Hero. He is just a young, vulnerable, gullible character. Who is misunderstood.