"Much Ado About Nothing"

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Charlotte Walton        WALCHA07        18-01-05

Level 2 Access Communications

“Much Ado About Nothing”

Remind yourself of Act 1 Scene iii where Don John reveals his true nature.  What do you think about the presentation of this character and do you ever feel his presence poses a serious threat to the happiness of the other characters and the comic tone of the play?

Our first introduction to Don John is during Leonato’s welcoming of Don Pedro’s party to his home.  Everyone is in good spirits and all the characters are represented as good natured and happy to be in each other’s company.  Leonato receives Don John in a far more formal fashion, referring to his recent poor relationship with his brother and Don John in turn reacts with similar formality. There is an absence of the long conversations that have recently taken place, “I thank you.  I am not of many words, but I thank you” act one scene I line 141.  As soon as Don John has responded to Leonato, Don Pedro takes control of the meeting and the party moves away.

This first meeting is important in defining Don John’s character.  The absence of communication with the other characters outlines the fact he is not a part of the group.  One is aware Don John is unpopular and does not feel at ease and the referral to his past transgressions affirms that this character is not intended to be good.  In the screen play he is wearing black in order to signify he is the villain and he stands apart from the other characters to emphasise this.  Because Don John has been identified as the villain in the play the assumption can be made that any ‘evil deeds’ or mischief that will occur will be of his making but at this early stage we are not aware of what his plans may be and whom they will be directed against.

Once out of the company of the main characters Don John speaks more, and reveals more of his character to his companion Conrade.  He describes himself as a prisoner “If I had my mouth I would bite; if I had my liberty I would do my liking” Act 1

 scene iii line 30,  and a victim, whom is thoroughly miserable who cannot, and does not wish to be cheered. “There is no measure in the occasion that breeds; therefore the sadness is without limit.” Act 1 scene iii line 3.  An angry aggressive element is revealed within Don John here and the true nature of his feelings towards Don Pedro and one of his closest companions Claudio is discovered; “I had rather be a canker in a hedge than a rose in his grace….”Act 1 scene iii line23.  In this reference to Don Pedro the use of the work canker suggests a  loathing so great he would rather appear putrid in his brother’s eyes than viewed with affection.  When informed of Claudio’s intentions towards Hero he reacts with distain “That young start up hath all the glory of my overthrow….. If I can cross him in any way, I bless myself every way”. Act 1 scene 3 line 59.  We are given the impression that Don John is resentful of Count Claudio’s close relationship with Don Pedro rather than Claudio as an individual and it is clear that the motivation for Don John’s desire for villainy lies here.  At this point it becomes apparent that the threat he poses to the happiness of the characters will manifest in his efforts to thwart the marriage of Claudio and Hero.  To accompany this calculating and bitter character the screenplay is set in darkness and with the characters attired in dark clothes.  Don John is portrayed as a solitary figure, this serves on one instance to mirror the isolation he feels from the rest of his brothers social group; and another to illustrate the other characters lack of warmth towards him.

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Now the introduction of the character is complete.  We are aware Don John is not held in high regard amongst the other characters and that his character holds the motivation to disrupt happiness and establish himself as the villain of the play.  How his success as a villain can be determined is by a number of factors. Initially it appears that Don John has no strong motive for the villainy he commits and that his actions are inspired by a bad nature, something he acknowledges fully: “though I cannot be said to be a flattering honest man, it must ...

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