September 24, 2014
English IV
Comparing the Half-Brothers in Much Ado about Nothing Don Pedro and Don John have similarities, as well as some differences. Don John’s jealousy over his illegitimate half-brother, Don Pedro, makes himself an outsider of sullenness. The friends of Don Pedro, which are Leonato, Claudio, and Benedick, strive for goals that are not as extreme as Don John’s. Don John’s goal, with his associates, Borachio and Conrad, is to ruin the happiness of Claudio and Leonato’s daughter, Hero. Despite their similarities in striving for a specific goal, Don Pedro and Don John can be differentiated by their personalities, associated friends, and standard of living. The personality of Don Pedro towards his goal is positive, while Don John’s personality towards a goal is distrustful. In the play, Much Ado about Nothing, Don Pedro says, “My love is thine to teach. Teach it but how, And thou shalt see how apt it is to learn And hard lesson that may do thee good” (Shakespeare Act 1, Scene I 228-230). He is saying that he’d do whatever Claudio asked him to, no matter how hard it is that he wants. In comparison with Don Pedro, Don John negative attitude shows when he says, “If I can cross him any way, I bless myself every way. You are both sure, and will assist me?” (Shakespeare Act 1, Scene III 52-53). Don John is saying that he’ll be overjoyed by spoiling Claudio’s life with the help of Conrad and Borachio. Though both characters have a set goal, their different perspectives on things expresses their distinct personalities. Therefore, each character has a different attraction to other individuals. Associated friends assist each other on their goal they strive for. Don Pedro says, “If thou dost love Hero, cherish it, And I will break with her and with her father, And thou shalt have her.” (Shakespeare Act 1, Scene I 246-248). In this quote, he helps out Claudio on his marriage with Hero. Don John says, “I wonder thou, being, as thou