How does Shakespeare use deception to structure the plot in 'Much Ado about Nothing'?
How does Shakespeare use deception to structure the plot in ‘Much Ado’?
Pretty much all of the key events or turning points in Much Ado about Nothing happen because characters deceive each other. Shakespeare uses deception as a way of structuring the plot because it often results in comedic situations and, after all, Much Ado about Nothing is a comedy.
From the very beginning Shakespeare introduces the idea of using deception as a way of getting what you want. Don Pedro’s plan of wooing Hero for Claudio is the first act of deception the audience sees but, unlike Don John’s plan, it is for a good cause and leads to the engagement of Hero and Claudio. We know of Don Pedro’s good intentions due to him saying “and the conclusion is, she shall be thine’ [Act1 scene1 line316]. Don John’s stratagem is a malicious plot to ruin Hero’s reputation and stop her marrying Claudio; “if i can cross him any way, i bless myself every way” [Act1 scene3 line64]. The audience then know that these plans will be put into action at some point in the play. Deception in the form of delusion, or the characters deceiving themselves, is also utilised in Act 1. It’s the first time we meet Benedick and Beatrice who both deceive themselves into thinking they never want to marry because of a fear of getting hurt, ultimately believing they are something that they are not; both of them talk of being “bachelors”. This is particularly important as it shapes the characters’ personalities which helps to construct rest of the plot and is the exposition of the play. For many of Shakespeare's male protagonists, the fear of deception by their lovers consumes them, often to an irrational degree but here we see a female protagonist with the same fear which would have been strange to a Shakespearian audience given the social conventions of women doting on men.
The plans are quickly implemented in Act 2 scene 1 during the masked ball. This scene is full of deception and delusion which manifests
Pretty much all of the key events or turning points in Much Ado about Nothing happen because characters deceive each other. Shakespeare uses deception as a way of structuring the plot because it often results in comedic situations and, after all, Much Ado about Nothing is a comedy.
From the very beginning Shakespeare introduces the idea of using deception as a way of getting what you want. Don Pedro’s plan of wooing Hero for Claudio is the first act of deception the audience sees but, unlike Don John’s plan, it is for a good cause and leads to the engagement of Hero and Claudio. We know of Don Pedro’s good intentions due to him saying “and the conclusion is, she shall be thine’ [Act1 scene1 line316]. Don John’s stratagem is a malicious plot to ruin Hero’s reputation and stop her marrying Claudio; “if i can cross him any way, i bless myself every way” [Act1 scene3 line64]. The audience then know that these plans will be put into action at some point in the play. Deception in the form of delusion, or the characters deceiving themselves, is also utilised in Act 1. It’s the first time we meet Benedick and Beatrice who both deceive themselves into thinking they never want to marry because of a fear of getting hurt, ultimately believing they are something that they are not; both of them talk of being “bachelors”. This is particularly important as it shapes the characters’ personalities which helps to construct rest of the plot and is the exposition of the play. For many of Shakespeare's male protagonists, the fear of deception by their lovers consumes them, often to an irrational degree but here we see a female protagonist with the same fear which would have been strange to a Shakespearian audience given the social conventions of women doting on men.
The plans are quickly implemented in Act 2 scene 1 during the masked ball. This scene is full of deception and delusion which manifests