Deception In Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing

Deception:

Literary analysis of William Shakespeare’s much ado about nothing

Much ado about nothing is a comedic play written by William Shakespeare. It is a story that contains many complex themes of love, marriage, Reputation and most of all deception. In the play there are many scenes of deception and dishonesty that frame the story. These occurrences affect the characters even though they sometimes may be malicious and at times compassionate. Much ado about nothing shows that deceit is not in actual fact evil, but something that can be used to do good or bad

Don John, the self-proclaimed villain, plays an essential role for nearly all of the trickery and deception in this play. He acts like a promoter and is an instigator for trouble,

“She loves him with an enraged affection, it is past the infinite of thought.” (Leonato 2.3.108, 109) They dotted the story with enough truth about Benedick’s sarcastic wit and character that he believed it. He believed it more because Leonato was older and respected, and he expected him to speak truthfully. “I should think this a gull but that the white-bearded fellow speaks it. Knavery cannot, sure, hide himself in such reverence.”(Benedick 2.3.126-128) Their goal was to compel Benedick to swear his love to Beatrice, and it worked. Benedick admits, “They say the lady is fair; ‘tis a truth, I can bear them witness. And virtuous; ‘tis so, I cannot reprove it. And wise, but for loving me; by my troth, it is no addition to her wit, nor no great argument of her folly, for I will be horribly in love with her... When I said I would die a bachelor, I did not think I should live till I were married.”(2.3.233-237,

Knowing Beatrice would listen to their conversation, they lured her in a similar way that Benedick had been seduced, by speaking of how much Benedick loved her and how he could not express his feelings because of his fear of being ridiculed by her and others. To disarm her of any suspicion of a ruse they mix with their lie some specks of truth, Hero speaks honestly about Beatrice’s character, “Oh god of love! I know he doth deserve as much as may be yielded to a man but nature never framed a woman’s heart of prouder stuff than that of Beatrice. Disdain and scorn ride sparkling in her eyes, misprizing what they look on, and her with values itself so highly that to her all matter else seems weak. She cannot love, nor take no shape nor project of affection she is so self-endeared.” (3.1.49-58) Their theatrical discussion is a success and Beatrice vows to requite Benedick’s proposed love. “And Benedick, love on; I will requite thee, Taming my wild heart to thy loving hand. If thou dost love, my kindness shall incite thee to bind our loves up in a holy band.”