Rutledge Readings in Shakespeare February 23, 2015 Don John, the Villain In Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare, all of the main characters experience and are apart of some form of deceit that is created to fool another main character. But Don John particularly stands out as a villain among the other members of society in Messina, both in his behavior and in his position as an illegitimate son or “bastard”. In this play, Don John is seen by the other characters as a man of few words
Many stories, plays, etc., consist of villains; however, in this play a character with no heart uses deception to his advantage by destroying others happiness. This character goes by the name of Don John and appears in the play, Much Ado About Nothing written by William Shakespeare. The play revolves around two love stories both which have problems to find their way to love each other and have a happy ending. Don John has the characteristics of an untrustworthy, evil man, and contributes to the
Nobody in his right mind roots for a villain. Although the antagonist is not the most popular character, they are extremely important for any story, because without an antagonist, there is no conflict. In this essay, I will be analyzing the antagonists in the plays Much Ado About Nothing and Hamlet, by William Shakespeare. The antagonist in Much Ado About Nothing is Don Jon, the half brother of Don Pedro who is the noble Prince of Aragon. Claudius is the antagonist in Hamlet. He recently became the
It could be argued that although comedy is present throughout ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ seriousness is present all the same. Shakespeare simultaneously exposes the audience to comedy and seriousness in ‘Much Ado About Nothing’, where some may interpret a scene to be comedic others may interpret it to a serious comment on aspects of society. Shakespeare uses comedy to both entertain and highlight issues of class and gender inequalities dominant in the Elizabethan era. The characters of Beatrice and
How much of who we are comes from our own inner predisposition, or mere interpretation from an outsider? Is someone obliged to become either a hero or villain by virtue of their existence, or are heroes and villains moulded over time from origins that could have taken either path? Analysing the preconceived ideas of Bastardy in Elizabethan society, it can be seen that the illegitimacy of Don John, “Shakespeare’s most passive villain” is the root of his villainy. Prejudgement, to pass judgement without
How much of who we are comes from inner predisposition, from personal destiny, or from mere interpretation? Is someone obliged to become a hero or villain by virtue of their existence, or are heroes and villains molded over time with an outcome that could potentially have gone either way? Analysing the preconceived ideas of Bastardy in Elizabethan society, it can be seen that the illegitimacy of Don John, “Shakespeare’s most passive villain” is the root of his villainy. Prejudgment, to pass judgement
Shakespeare’s plays were written with a wide audience in mind. People from all walks of life and varying levels of wealth and education enjoyed his plays and he wrote accordingly, including elements of comedy that would apply to all. His play Much Ado About Nothing contains clever bouts of wordplay and situational, verbal, and dramatic irony to please the educated upper classes as well as base humor, sexual innuendo, and slapstick to cater to the baser preferences of the uneducated masses. Cumulatively
honesty, and nobility. In Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, an Italian Prince, Don Pedro, his two fellow soldiers, and Bastard brother (Claudio, Benedick, and Don John) visit Leonato, the governor of the Italian Town of Messina, after they have just fought a war. Don Pedro embarks on a cupid-like journey to have Claudio marry Hero (Leonato’s daughter), and have Beatrice
In William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, the theme of deceit is heavily portrayed throughout this famous play, and is one of the main themes. In fact, the word “nothing” from the plays title is believed to be a pun off the word “noting”, which means eavesdropping or spying. In the play, all the characters are hiding something at one point or the other – whether it’s riddled with lies or swallowing the truth. The deception lies either with the “villain”, whom makes trouble and chaos occur