Claudio’s relationship demonstrates deceitfulness throughout the passage. Hero commenting that “and when you loved, you were my other husband” reveals the relationship between Claudio and Hero. The words ‘when you loved’ presents Claudio do not Hero anymore. This is significant as to Claudio once declared to Benedick that he has fallen really for in love for Hero, but it is ironic that Claudio and Hero are getting married as marriage involves loving one another throughout the rest of their lives therefore it is revealed that Claudio is deceiving others about how much he loves Hero. Hero stating that Claudio ‘[was] her other husband’ also demonstrates Claudio deception on marriage. The words ‘other husband’ underscores that Claudio is marrying again which reveals his unfaithfulness as he does not follow the marriage outline with being faithful to his wife. Even though Claudio and Hero are not married, Hero treats Claudio her husband along as she does love Claudio. On the other note, Claudio loves Hero but it is deceiving as to his love for Hero is not what the audience call ‘true love’. Deceiving is also bought out by Friar Francis, with the idea of Hero pretending to be dead. Friar Francis’s declaration of “tell you largely of fair Hero’s death” reveals the idea that it is Friar Francis’s scheme. The connotation of ‘fair’ is the balance between situation which describes Hero as being innocent and that it has nothing to do it Hero with making this plan. The verb ‘tell’ illustrates Friar Francis in knowing the plan and it is significant as to a Friar, a priest who believes in God, is the person who deceives Claudio and Don Pedro. Through significant male character deceiving others, it shows that men deceive without minding their status. Don Pedro also presents deception with his teasing of Benedick with “such a February face”. The use of ‘February’ draws out the hyperbole with the idea of extraordinary situations. The situations include decception to tease Benedick and Beatrice with their morals of not marrying one another. Through relationships between Claudio, Hero Don Pedro, Benedick and Friar Francis the passage presents the idea of deception by men and that deceiving applies on anyone.
Leonato reveals deception through the scheme put upon by Friar Francis. Leonato reminding Claudio to “take her hand before this friar and swear to marry her” is an example of this. The verb ‘take’ describes of taking hold of Hero without hesitation along with the word ‘friar’, alludes to proof of marriage with a declaration of their relationship. The word ‘swear’ describes Claudio being forced to take the masked Hero which is Leonato planning to make Claudio have to marry Hero. Hero’s declaration of “when I lived, was your other wife: unmasking” also reveals how deceiving men are as to Hero is confronting to the scheme putted on by men with her ‘unmasking’ displays men are deceiving and not intend to reveal their lies. Their intension of not revealing the scheme is reinforced by Leonato commenting that Hero ‘died my lord, but while her slander live[s]’. The word ‘died’ is ironic as to Hero is present with Leonato commenting that she died but with the denotation of ‘slander’ being the crime still exists. Leonato’s description displays deception of Hero being dead as to Leonato does not want Hero live as the one who is shamed again. Leonato’s deception sets an example as men deceiving with Hero as women revealing the truth.
In conclusion, through the use of language, definitions, structure and the utilization of men, the passage presents the idea of deception by men and deceiving applies on anyone.
Passage:
DON PEDRO Good morrow, Benedick. Why, what's the matter, That you have such a February face, So full of frost, of storm and cloudiness?
CLAUDIO I think he thinks upon the savage bull. Tush, fear not, man; we'll tip thy horns with gold And all Europa shall rejoice at thee, As once Europa did at lusty Jove, When he would play the noble beast in love.
BENEDICK Bull Jove, sir, had an amiable low; And some such strange bull leap'd your father's cow, And got a calf in that same noble feat Much like to you, for you have just his bleat.
CLAUDIO For this I owe you: here comes other reckonings.
Re-enter ANTONIO, with the Ladies masked
Which is the lady I must seize upon?
ANTONIO This same is she, and I do give you her.
CLAUDIO Why, then she's mine. Sweet, let me see your face.
LEONATO No, that you shall not, till you take her hand Before this friar and swear to marry her.
CLAUDIO Give me your hand: before this holy friar, I am your husband, if you like of me.
HERO And when I lived, I was your other wife:
Unmasking
And when you loved, you were my other husband.
CLAUDIO Another Hero!
HERO Nothing certainer: One Hero died defiled, but I do live, And surely as I live, I am a maid.
DON PEDRO The former Hero! Hero that is dead!
LEONATO She died, my lord, but whiles her slander lived.
FRIAR FRANCIS All this amazement can I qualify: When after that the holy rites are ended, I'll tell you largely of fair Hero's death: Meantime let wonder seem familiar, And to the chapel let us presently.
