How Does Shakespeare Use Deception In Much Ado About Nothing

Deception is seen everywhere: in court, in politics, and in relationships, but it can also hide certain feelings and to trick others into benefiting themselves or others. Much Ado About Nothing is a play by Shakespeare that tells the story through the perspective of the truth and lies of two couples, one in love and the other not. In Much Ado About Nothing, deception is useful to those who use it for a morale boost, a social boost, or an economic boost. Deception becomes reality, even though it’s dangerous. In Much Ado About Nothing, Don John pretends to be kind and poised, rather than what he believes himself to be, evil and annoying. This also goes into play when he uses this false persona for harm and his reputation, mostly to get back

1.3.25-28). Once his ally Borachio tells of Don Pedro and Claudio’s plan he “overheard”, he is overjoyed: “If I can cross him any way, I bless myself every way”(Shakespeare. 1.2.64-65). Don John uses deception for his benefit, because for him, displeasing his half-brother will bring him great pride. Don John starts out in the play in his brother’s graces because Don Pedro is willing to give him another chance. This is used in Don John’s deception because back in the days, the older sibling had a greater advantage socially and gained more benefits than the youngest, especially if the youngest is an illegitimate child. The image of the illegitimate child ruining the Prince’s reputation is what Don John strives for, and in that way, he believes that he will feel more like himself. In the Renaissance, having a

Don Pedro, Leonato, and Claudio form a plan for Benedick to believe that Beatrice loves him by having a conversation in the garden, “...but most wonderful that she should so dote on Signor Benedick, whom she hath in all outward behaviors seemed ever to abhor”(Shakespeare. 2.3. 98-9). Hero and Ursula gossip that Benedick does not deserve Beatrice after Margaret fetches her: “Why did you so? Doth not the gentleman deserve as full as fortunate a bed as ever Beatrice shall couch upon?” (Shakespeare. 2.3. 44-6). This endorses how deception was used in a good way because originally Benedick was not in a relationship because he was worried that he would be cheated on. Beatrice was not in a relationship because she believed that there was no man on Earth for her, so this form of deception helped them to set their worries aside. Their relationship got better; instead of insulting one another as their able minds so easily could, they gained a strong relationship: standing with one another when Hero and Claudio had a clash in their relationship. No one was hurt nor was affected by the way Don Pedro and Hero pulled this deception, and it ended in a happy resolution in which Benedick proposes to Beatrice. The last form of deception is not just when one party gains from deception, but two