Shakespeare's 'Much Ado About Nothing' Consider the various forms of deception, which an audience will witness in the course of watching 'Much Ado About Nothing'?

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Joseph Levy

AS English Literature Coursework

Shakespeare’s ‘Much Ado About Nothing’

Consider the various forms of deception, which an audience will witness in the course of watching ‘Much Ado About Nothing’?

Throughout Shakespeare’s play, ‘Much Ado About Nothing’, deception is shown in various lights for different reasons. Shakespeare uses deception as an underlying message concerning the characters and their society. The theme of deception works as a catalyst for provoked events as in Beatrice and Benedick turning from hatred to love. There is a strong sense of honour from the characters and deceit can be used in an attempt to dishonour someone. The incapacity in the characters to detect deceit is a sign of their obsession and desire for love and honour, such as Claudio automatically thinking Hero is guilty. The stress on deception used by Shakespeare is a common theme in his writing such as with Iago in ‘Othello’. Deception is something that can be used for good or bad intentions. For instance, Don Pedro uses deception for purposes of love with Benedick and Beatrice, whilst Don John uses deceit for the opposite reason in trying to break up Hero and Claudio. Shakespeare uses deceit in various clever and entertaining ways, which have all been portrayed interestingly by old and recent directors, such as the film by ‘Branagh’. Although the central deception is directed against Claudio in an attempt to destroy his relationship with Hero, it is the deceptions involving Beatrice and Benedick, which provide the play's dramatic focus. In the conclusion to the play the deceit has been foiled leaving a happy Shakespearean ending.

        Both Iago in Othello and Don john have been described as Machiavellian villains- devious, dishonoured and on a mission to seek revenge. Also in King Lear, Edmund, (also a bastard like Don John) seeks revenge on his brother by playing his brother and father against each other. He manages to convince his father that his brother Edgar is trying to kill him. Don John as an illegitimate bastard would have no inheritance, no respect and no social status. An Elizabethan audience would see Don John as the automatic villain of the play, where as a modern day audience may be more sympathetic towards him rather than see him as being dangerous. Don John plays the major part in the play of using deception for evil purposes.      In I.1 Don Pedro offers to play the part of Claudio and win Hero for him. This plan is overheard, and misreported to Antonio. His excited retelling of the false news of Don Pedro's love for Hero to Leonato is, however, not without some caution: the news will be good as ‘the event stamps them; but the have a good cover, they show well outward’. When Don John tells Claudio (pretending he thinks he is Benedick) that Don Pedro is wooing for himself Claudio’s character is revealed to be a young, naïve and gullible one. He automatically presumes Don john is being truthful and becomes very upset, (to Benedick regarding Don Pedro); ‘I wish him sweet joy of her’. This is a bitter, childish sarcastic reply. The real intention of Don Pedro is of a good intention and shows deception can be used for good. Here Shakespeare is simply showing the audience that the tricky dishonest core of deceit can make it hugely undesirable as a method of passing over information. However for Shakespeare this use of deceit makes it an interesting and popular theme. It provides unmatched opportunities for dramatic irony.

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        Don Johns second attempt at deceit is nearly the point that ruins the harmony of the play and reveals his true nature as an unscrupulous schemer. From start to finish he acts as a brooding threatening presence. This is where; with a huge amount of help for Borachio he plans to show Margaret acting as Hero being unfaithful to Claudio before the marriage therefore being a ‘contaminated stale’. Borachio again is involved in the deception, as he was the one who informed Don John about Pedro, supposedly wooing for himself. It therefore appears that Borachio is the ‘brains behind the ...

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