Explore to what extent, if any, Shakespeare presents Claudio to be an admirable character in 'Much Ado about Nothing'

Authors Avatar

Charlie Green        -  -

Explore to what extent, if any, Shakespeare presents Claudio to be an admirable character in ‘Much Ado about Nothing’

The first the audience hear of the character of Claudio in ‘Much Ado about Nothing’ is from other characters discussing his heroic feats during war. Shakespeare introduces Claudio, not through his own presence and actions, but through others’ opinions of him. Don Pedro clearly thinks Claudio is an admirable character – approving of his service during the war against Don John – describing him as ‘doing in the figure of a lamb the feats of a lion’. During Claudio’s confession of his love for Hero, the prince describes Hero as ‘worthy’ of Claudio’s love, showing he holds Claudio in high regard, Shakespeare repeats this word six lines later to place emphasis on Don Pedro’s opinion. Due to Borachio and Don Johns’ attempt to ruin the future wedding, Claudio believes that Don Pedro is in love with Hero and has betrayed him. Upon realising his friend is acting strangely, Don Pedro shows concern by asking, ‘wherefore art thou sad?’ This concern implies that he cares for Claudio. The way in which he selflessly woos Hero for him further emphasises Don Pedro’s care for his friend’s wellbeing. He tells Claudio that, ‘as I wooed for thee to obtain her, I will join with thee to disgrace her’. This shows that the prince’s act as a matchmaker between Claudio and Hero was not for his own gains, that he wooed Hero selflessly, as he is ready to break the bond he made. Don Pedro later says, when confronted by Leonato and Antonio, ‘I doubt we would have been too young for them’, showing he believes that Claudio and himself could have matched Leonato and Antonio, despite their youth.

In the whole of Act I, Don John is the only character who does not approve of Claudio. He plans to prevent the marriage between Claudio and Hero and to ‘cross him’, his reasons being that he believes Claudio to be a ‘young start-up’ and is jealous of his relationship with Don Pedro, saying he ‘hath all the glory of my overthrow’. Using Claudio, Shakespeare creates further contrast between Don Pedro’s concern and Don John’s hatred, shown when he says, ‘I am sick in displeasure to him’. When Don John requests that Claudio should trust him, he states that ‘it would better fit your honour’, showing that, to Claudio, honour takes priority over love. In this sense, Don John’s persuasion and approach to ruining Claudio’s marriage shows the audience a less admirable side to Claudio’s character.

Benedick shares a brotherly relationship with Claudio, despite their age difference. He is the first to mark the change in Claudio due to his love for Hero and says how Claudio has become a ‘fool’ who ‘dedicates his behaviours to love’, showing he spends time with Claudio. Although Benedick’s tone is mocking, it’s clear, from Claudio’s trust in him – confessing to him his love for Hero before any other – that they are good friends. However, Benedick, unlike Leonato who believes that Hero’s death was for the best, is prepared to punish Claudio for his actions, believing he has ‘killed a sweet and innocent lady’. However, this change in Benedick can be explained, his orders have come from Beatrice, whom he loves. Benedick soon resumes his friendly attitude towards Claudio allowing him to ‘live unbruised and love my (sic) cousin’.

Join now!

Beatrice initially describes Claudio as ‘noble’, showing she believes him to be admirable. However, following Claudio’s false accusation of her cousin, Beatrice asks Benedick to kill him. Although this sudden change of opinion may appear as hatred, Beatrice feels forced to do this in order to take revenge, to disgrace Claudio to the same extent as he publicly disgraced her cousin.

Act IV begins with Claudio and Hero’s marriage. Friar Francis asks Claudio if he knows of any reason why they should not be married. Leonato interrupts and says, ‘I dare make his answer none’. The way in ...

This is a preview of the whole essay