Shakespeare excelled in the art of presenting complex themes in the most subtle ways. Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing presents the theme of deception. The plot of the play is woven around the traps of deceit, from the ends of both the antagonists as well as the protagonists. Thus, it shows deception in two forms- in its malevolence, driven by evil notions and motives; and also its benevolence, when employed for the better good. Either ways, all the characters are involved in deceit, sometimes employing it and at the other instances, falling victim to it. It is involvement, response and reaction of the characters to the lies and manipulations that wheels the plot forward. Thus, deception forms the basis of events in the play.
Deception can be seen in both the literary style as well as thematic depiction. Ambiguity starts with the title itself. The concept of false appearances, which much of the work’s deception plays upon, emerges as even the play’s title has many facets. Literally, the title can be understood to imply that the action revolves around nothing; however, another interpretation shows that using Elizabethan pronunciation, ‘nothing’ was pronounced ‘noting’, punning on the idea of observations and consequent interpretations. The opening scene of the play sets the mood of deception that the readers are going to witness throughout the play. The play begins with a recent reconciliation between Don John and his brother, Don Pedro the Prince. Ironically, this