Claudio’s character changes from confessing love to Hero, “...Lady, as you are mine, I am yours. I give myself for you…” to making violent allegations at her and refusing to marry her in public. In Claudio’s speech, Shakespeare uses an oxymoron, “…But fair thee well, most foul, most fair…” and this shows the two excessive attitudes that Claudio has of Hero. In addition Shakespeare uses many similes and metaphor in this scene, “You seem to me as Dian in her orb…” This illustrates that he used to believe and look at her as she was chaste goddess meaning that he never had the thought of Hero to delude him.
Modern days, people’s over reactions are mostly based on keen emotions that they sometimes can’t control. In this play the character of Claudio reacts excessively and this is with the sole purpose of Claudio and his outburst of rage. Furthermore, it shows that Claudio can’t really control him emotion and this is associates to modern days.
Additionally the ferocious way in which both Claudio and Leonato reacted towards Hero would not be very shocking to Elizabethan audiences. The reason for this is if a girl behaved inappropriately and unacceptably or even accused of it, she would immediately lose all the respect. As well as the respect she would get disowned by her family. The Elizabethan audience would agree with the punishment that Hero received as she has earned it.
Following on to this, Don Pedro who throughout the play is a sensible and calm person also joins in accusing Hero of these late night meetings with another man, and says ‘I stand dishonoured, that have gone about, To link my dear friend to a common stale.’ This is very harsh language that is used by Don Pedro and contrasts with his earlier descriptions of Hero, who to him was nothing but virtuous and respectful. Shakespeare further illustrates Hero’s pain and suffering reputation when then her father, (guardian) begins believing these false accusations.
‘O fate, take not away thy heavy hand,
Death is the fairest cover for her shame
That may be wished for.’
Don John gives the impression to be the single character in the play who doesn’t divulge his other side. This because almost certainly throughout the whole play Don John has been an untrustworthy and deceiving character that is to be regarded with suspicion; “…I am not of many words.” Deception is another aspect of the play which seems to have contemporary relevance with today. This is because there are still people in this world, lying and deceiving, not only themselves but other people around them as well.
Don Pedro and his brother Don John have a feeling of resentment towards each other. This is because Don John’s illegitimacy has prevented him from the honour uand respect that his legitimate brother has been able to enjoooooy. Nonetheless, Claudio defends Don PErdo as he is on Don Pedro’s side, “
Don John seems to have a grudge against his brother Don Pedro as Claudio (who is on Don Pedro’s side) defeated him and; “that young start-up hath all the glory of my overthrow.” He is still bitter about that and that is the reason why he wants to make Claudio and Don Pedro suffer. Don John’s illegitimacy has prevented him from the honour and respect that his legitimate brother has been able to enjoy.
This rivalry between siblings is another aspect of society in the Elizabethan Times that has contemporary relevance with the modern era of today, as sibling rivalry is still a very common and normal thing that people show. Shakespeare makes Don John speak mostly in short sharp and concise sentences, which reflect his evil character.
The fact that Don John succeeds in his plan to ruin Claudio’s wedding, is another way in which Shakespeare has made Act 4, scene1 dramatically significant to the play as a whole. This is because before this scene, all Don John was doing was plotting how to ruin Claudio and Hero’s wedding, and in Act 4, Scene1, it shows that all his planning has paid off and shows the results of his plot.
Leonato initially misinterprets Claudio’s intent, which will amuse the audience as Leonato has no clue on what Claudio is going to say and this only sharpens expectation - ‘What do you mean, my lord?’ However, Leonato is soon shocked by what Claudio has to say:
‘Dear My Lord, if you in your own proof,
Have vanquished the resistance of her youth,
and made defeat of her virginity.’
Leonato’s shock and surprise is illustrated in the rhetorical questions he begins to ask- ‘Are theses things spoken, or do I but dream?’ Claudio and Don Pedro then go about to prove their false accusations of which Don John claims is ‘not chastity enough in language, Without offence to utter them.’ Don John’s significance in this scene is kept at a minimum by Shakespeare even though he has plotted this whole drama, but the audience is looking forward to seeing his retribution later on in the play.
The second incident, centers on Leonato’s self-pitying condemnation of Hero, which is surprising because you would expect that he explore the accusations of which his daughter has been condemned of but he verses on his own feelings and actions.
‘Grieved I, I had but one?
Child I or that at frugal nature’s frame?
O, one too much by thee! Why had I one?’
Leonato then changes his tone of voice once he is left alone with Beatrice and Benedick who both come to her defence – ‘O, on my soul, my cousin is belied’. In the last incident Beatrice and Benedick are alone on stage. Speaking now in prose, Beatrice and Benedick exchange understandings in flat direct sentences, which is out of character for them if you contrast it to their earlier conversations. They have in a way switched roles with Claudio and Hero, who to start with were the special couple in the play but then were shown up to be flawed following Claudio’s accusation of Hero. This change in character is emphasized by Shakespeare’s use of language when Beatrice’s states her two-word command ‘Kill Claudio’.
Benedick’s failure to leave with Don Pedro and Claudio is a sign that he wants to be with Beatrice - “Lady Beatrice have you wept all this while?’ Act 4 Scene 1 is the plays most intense moment where Shakespeare employs prose sentences of two or three words which shows the passion Beatrice and Benedick have for each other. Thus, earlier incidents of rhetoric were false to hide their inappropriate feelings and Shakespeare uses this contrast to prove his point. This a turning point in the play and the language shows that they can trust each other now, where as in contrast, Claudio and Hero have lost that trust. The direct communications between Beatrice and Benedick shows how they are both capable of love but were afraid of expressing their emotions. Since this play is a romantic comedy, Shakespeare is demonstrating how there are ups and downs in relationships and Act 1 Scene 4 is the dramatic scene where Don John’s plot is successful and the lover’s companionship has been broken. However, Shakespeare uses Beatrice and Benedick characters as a contrast to Claudio and Hero in the scene to make the audience optimistic about personal relationships. Their open admission to the love they share shows how they were hiding behind a mask of aloofness and wit before.
In conclusion, this scene is extremely significant to the play as a whole as it is a turning point for the characters and Shakespeare adopts vivid use of language and imagery to emphasize the comedy behind romantic relationships.