Dramatic Irony In Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing

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Beatrice, two strong willed individuals. Shakespeare uses pathetic fallacy to create a sense of dramatic irony-the audience can infer from the masks and the dark of night that some sort of mischief is liable to happen. This narrative technique makes the audience feel more involved. On the other hand, when Benedick has a confrontation with Beatrice where she insults him, it is inferred that she is aware of Benedick’s identity the entire time. Beatrice says ‘’Why, he is the Prince’s Jester’’, Beatrice has no qualms discussing her dislike of Benedick with whoever she pleases-even if is Benedick himself. Here the theme of power is introduced-Beatrice feels obliged to share her feelings like a man would, despite that in those days women were supposed…show more content…
Hero is viewed by Claudio as a possession, which relates to the context of the play: one of the focal points in a potential wife was her beauty; which is shallow-and how Shakespeare viewed London’s higher class. Hero’s prettiness may be the sole reason Claudio is attracted to her, and Claudio’s insincerity not only means he becomes disliked by the audience but also he has been deceived by Hero’s attractiveness and tricked into falling in love with her-which doesn’t paint his character in a good life. Contrastingly, Benedick replies to Claudio’s remark with ‘’Yea, and a case to put it in’’. Benedick refers to Hero in the way he knows Claudio means: a possession to be but in a ‘case’, because he believes Claudio will lose interest in her quickly, and as a woman she will remain how Claudio wants, seen and not heard, whilst her beauty does all the talking. Claudio’s phrase is structured in a question mark, which seems he looks to Benedick for reassurance or confirmation of his feelings because he himself is unsure; which again is insincere and reinforces the concept of Claudio’s attempted self-deception. Benedick opens with ‘’Yea.’’ The structural length is blunt and denotes Benedick’s dry sense of humour. Countering this, a comma adds a sense of Benedick’s control, and how he is aware of Claudio’s fakery: this may mean his wit makes him immune to deception from others, which makes him stand out as a character. Thus Shakespeare contrasts the men’s views on love, with Claudio the romantic and Benedick the realist. Also, upon Claudio’s declaration Benedick remarks: ‘’His words are a fantastical banquet, just so many strange dishes.’’ Claudio uses intricate language, and Benedick comes back with cynical remarks. The word

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