Don John's Jealousy In Much Ado About Nothing

In William Shakespeare's play Much Ado About Nothing Don Jon and Don Pedro participate in some form of deceit, designed to dupe another character. However, the two characters evidently lie for different reasons, either for better or for worse. In the play, the soldiers have just returned from war and everyone is hearing and talking about a man named Claudio. As described in the play, Claudio “Accomplished the feats of a lion in the form of a lamb.” This made Don Jon jealous that Claudio was earning his brother, Don Pedro’s respect. This caused Don Jon to become villainous and wish the worst upon his brothers new counterpart. Don Jon’s villainry is shown both in his plots and actions. His jealousy and the enjoyment that comes from the agony of others motivates him to lie.

Then after, to her father will I break: and the conclusion is, she shall be thine,” ( I.i 276 -189). It is clearly evident that Don pedro is lying for the better, bringing people together, creating happiness. Although the two brothers clearly lie for different cognition. Don Jon will later overhear the plans of Claudio and Don Pedro and attempt to ruin them. At the Masquerade Party, Don Jon approaches Claudio who is watching Don Pedro woo his new found crush Hero and says, “Signior, you are very near my brother in his love; he is enamoured on Hero; I pray you, dissuade him for her: she is no equal for his birth; you may do the part of a honest man in it... I heard him swear his affection” (II.i. 157-160, 162) The intentions of Don Jon were undoubtedly to destroy the potential marriage of Claudio and Hero by telling Claudio that he overheard Don Pedro swear his affection to Hero. Don Jon lying out of spite of Claudio being in love with Hero and his success on the