Much Ado About Nothing Deception Analysis

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The play “Much Ado About Nothing” contains two main themes that are love and deception. Although these themes may seem like they conflict, the deceptions sometimes have good intentions and actually help love develop in the story. The story is about the main character, Claudio, who is getting married to Hero, Leonato’s daughter. In that case, deception threatens their relationship and nearly destroys it. Two other main characters are Beatrice and Benedick, whose relationship is more complex than some of the other relationships. Although they seem antagonistic, the reader also gets the sense that they may have a love/ hate relationship and actually are attracted to each other. For Beatrice and Benedick deception is a positive force, which fosters…show more content…
Don Pedro decides that he is going to help his friend, Benedick, to fall in love. Don John and Don Pedro are polar opposites. As villainous as Don John is, Don Pedro is benevolent. Don Pedro elicits help with his scheme, from Leonato and Claudio. As they enter the garden Benedick hides and thinks that they don’t see him when they really do. This causes them to start lying to fool Benedick. Don Pedro says,“Do so: farewell. [Exit Balthasar.] Come hither, Leonato. What was it you told me of to-day, that your niece Beatrice was in love with Signior Benedick?” (Shakespeare II.iii.72-73) They are talking about how Beatrice is head-over-heels for Benedick, but she wouldn’t show it if her life depended on it. They also talk about how cruel Benedick would be to her if he found out that he loved her. They said that he would laugh and make a display of mocking her. After hearing all of this shocking news, Benedick is surprised as he truly believes that they were speaking the truth. As he ponders over what he has heard, he comes to the realization that she does have many appealing qualities, such as her virtue, beauty and intelligence. These are all qualities he seeks in a wife. He finally tells himself that he is heartless if he does not love her, and he truly does. This is evidenced by Benedick’s decision later on to challenge his dear friend Claudio to a duel for slandering…show more content…
The people that fool Beatrice are Hero and Ursula. Margaret (Hero’s maid), at Hero’s request, tells Beatrice that Hero and Ursula are talking about her.. Beatrice, curious to find out what they are saying, hides and listens to their conversation. Beatrice is surprised to find Hero and Ursula to be talking about how Benedick loves Beatrice. Ursula says, “But are you sure that Benedick loves Beatrice so entirely?” (Shakespeare III.i.39-40) Beatrice then hears Hero say that Beatrice thinks so highly of herself that she will never love, and that although Benedick deserves her, he will never be loved by Beatrice. Hero speaks of all of the qualities that Benedick has that a woman like Beatrice would want in a man. She also says that if she told Beatrice, Beatrice would mock it and make a joke of Benedick loving her. Once Ursula and Hero leave, Beatrice decides that she will repay Benedick for his love with her own. In the end Hero says of Beatrice’s love for Benedick, “And here’s another, Writ in my cousin’s hand, stolen from her pocket, Containing her affection unto Benedick.”(Shakespeare V.iv.91-94). This ends well for Beatrice and Benedick as they go on to marry one
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