Explore the ways in which Shakespeare uses and presents deception in much ado about nothing. Is it merely a functional plot device?

The plot of Much Ado About Nothing is based upon deliberate deceptions, some malevolent and others benevolent that functions the main and sub plot. But also Deceptions are used by Shakespeare to reveal a lot about characters and attitudes. The duping of Claudio and Don Pedro results in Hero’s disgrace, while the ruse of her death prepares the way for her redemption and reconciliation with Claudio. When Claudio has shamed and rejected Hero, Leonato and his household “publish” that Hero has died in order to punish Claudio for his mistake. When Claudio returns, penitent, to accept the hand of Leonato’s “niece” (actually Hero), a group of masked women enters and Claudio must wed blindly. The masking of Hero and the other women reveals that the social institution of marriage has little to do with love. When Claudio flounders and asks, “Which is the lady I must seize upon?” he is ready and willing to commit the rest of his life to one of a group of unknowns (Act 5 Scene 4 Line 53). His willingness stems not only from his guilt about slandering an innocent woman but also from the fact that he may care more about rising in Leonato’s favour than in marrying for love.
In the play, it is sometimes difficult to distinguish between good and bad deception. When Claudio announces his desire to woo Hero, Don Pedro takes it upon himself to woo her for Claudio. Then, at the instigation of Don John, “Signor, you are very near my brother in his love, He is enamoured on Hero.” Claudio begins to mistrust Don Pedro, thinking he has been deceived, “the prince woos for himself.” Also Claudio’s attitude towards women changes drastically, “for Beauty is a witch” and “Farewell, therefore, Hero!” This shows that Don John was successful at deceiving Claudio to believe that Don Pedro wants Hero all to himself, and from this news Claudio says that you can’t trust someone when love comes into the equation. This has shown us that, Claudio feels betrayed by Don Pedro and we immediately get