...The Shakespearean comedy, Much Ado about Nothing encompasses themes such as the importance of honour, the ideal of social grace, nevertheless uses a plot which primarily revolves around the theme of deception re occurring in various forms. On one hand deception is used throughout Much Ado About Nothing in a malicious manner, however on the on the hand it can be portrayed in a benevolent and beneficial manner such as the fooling of Beatrice and Benedick and deceiving them into proclaiming their love for each other. The use of both forms of deception often makes it difficult to distinguish between the two, such as when Claudio announces his desire to woo Hero, however Don Pedro takes it upon himself to woo her for Claudio. However Shakespeare’s use of deception is neither completely a means of malice nor a mean of showing traits of kindness between characters, the use of deception aids the development of the plot and creates a path for other elements necessary in the play such as its comical elements. The plot of Much Ado About Nothing centrals around misunderstanding, as during the Elizabethan era “Nothing” was pronounced “Noting”, meaning to observe, to take notice of or to write something down – take note of something, as the reader learns the play revolves around observation and surveying, however often these ‘notings’ are not continuously accurate, they are often misinterpreted or misunderstood and also misreported. The title highlights the idea of how lack of careful noting...
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...Niccole Soriano Shakespeare Professor McParland October 28, 2015 Comparison of Much Ado about Nothing and Twelfth Night Shakespeare often employed a usage of posturing, or misleading, within his comedies that attribute to the confusion that serves as driving forces within the plays. I found this especially true in his play Twelfth Night, a plot dictated by multiple deceptions. After viewing the play Twelfth Night, I immediately considered the similarities found between that play and Much Ado about Nothing, which also contained numerous deceptions and guises. The presence of deception in both plays contribute to the conflicts caused by what appear to be, more so than actual physical disguise, and functions as a preeminent theme. In regards to...
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...However, it is possible to find the deception behind each personality within a book if one analyzes the character's beyond their superficial facade. Since the beginning of time, humans have always stumbled on a boarder between appearance and reality, using deception to mask weaknesses and obscure the harsh eye of society. By examining A Street Car Named Desire by Tennessee Williams, Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, and The Unabridged Journals Of Sylvia Plath by Sylvia Plath the deception humans use in order to appear stronger in society are revealed. In the play, A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams, there is a dominant theme of deception portrayed by the three main characters in the play. Stella Kowalski, Stanley Kowalski, and Blanche DuBois all have simple personalities that are extremely skewed by the end of the book. Stella states "I'm not in anything I want to get out of," (Williams, 74). This gives Blanche a huge reality check, because someone she adores has accepted such an average life, and has given up in her pursue for perfection, even if most of it is imaginary. This deception also plays a huge role in Much Ado About Nothing by Shakespeare, through a continuos series of twists throughout the book and hidden motifs, that cannot be seen by the reader until the characters themselves accept the truth or the meaning behind it. The character traits that seem to define the characters in this play, are also their largest deceptions. "CLAUDIO -Can...
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...William Shakespeare is typically known for his comedies, histories, and tragedies. For example, his most famous tragedies would be Romeo and Juliet. In this case the story is a romantic comedy called, Much Ado About Nothing. This story consists of two love stories, one between Hero and claudio, and another between Beatrice and Benedick. The plot thickens when the Don John, Brother of Don Pedro, attempts to intervene. Trickery and deceit are central themes and somehow leads to love and romance. Trickery is a large theme in this story. Trickery meaning the practice of deception. Trickery can come in multiple types of form. Whether the intent is in a good or bad manner. In this case Don Pedro and Claudio come up with a plan. The plan was to trick Benedick into falling for Beatrice and vice versa for Beatrice. This act is suppose to be difficult, because Benedick is the type of guy who doesn't believe in marriage and is a bachelor. Coincidentally Beatrice has a similar mind set on marriage. Don Pedro and Claudio were able to achieve this by using leonarto as bait. For example, Then Benedick says, “ I should think this a gull but that the white-bearded fellow speaks it. Knavery cannot, sure, hide himself in such reverence” (2.3.126-128). This quote means if the...
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...Christine Joy A. Tag at BSEDE-II Reflection Paper on Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing Without any idea of what Much Ado About Nothing is all about, I just let myself absorb whatever thoughts and ideas I could get as the movie started to play. The movie which is originally a play written by Shakespeare is a comedy drama but not pure humor as what most audience would expect in a comedy. I really find the work a genius one, with how the story evolves. And unlike any love stories, its plot is a very unique one. The theme is obviously full of deceptions. This act of deceiving is not at all what I know as a bad act. As from the drama, deception could sometimes lead the characters to goodness like how Don Pedro and Claudio intentionally let Benedict eavesdrop to their conversation about Beatrice’s love for him. Hero and her company also did the same to Beatrice. It ended up that Beatrice and Benedict really loved each other after all their ‘wars’. On the other hand, deception could be a bad act. When Don John planned to ruin the wedding by making Claudio and Don Pedro believe that ‘Hero’ is an unfaithful maiden and not anymore a virgin, the plan went out as it is which made Hero be publicly humiliated by Claudio. This only showed that purity of woman is very precious and the only honor that she could have. But whether deception is bad or good, I would first prefer not to believe easily what I hear or see or what others will tell to me. I must not depend on the superficial...
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...HOW DO YOU EXPRESS LOVE? William Shakespeare expresses his love and other themes in many different ways. The play Much Ado About Nothing was written by Shakespeare uses language and dramatic elements such as puns, mistaken identify, allusions and comedic language to convey key themes and characterisation. Act 2 scene 1 explores and challenges the themes of love, deception, and loyalty. The themes of love, deception, and loyalty are emphasised in this play and can clearly be seen in Act 2 scene 1. The theme of love is evident between Hero and Claudio in this scene, as they come together in the presence of Hero’s family and friends as they are conjoined together and plan to get married. “Silence is a perfect herald of joy. I was but little happy if I could say how much. - Lady, as you are mine, I am yours. I give myself for you and dote upon the exchange”. This extract of the play portrays Claudio’s happiness that he will be marrying Hero. Hero indeed conveys her joy too as she whispers into Claudio’s ear, “My cousin tells him in his ear that he is...
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...How far does the humour in Much Ado About Nothing derive from Shakespeare’s presentation of gender? Much ado about nothing is one of the most famous comedies written by Shakespeare. It is written in the modern style, and is mainly in prose form. It was written for the audience in the Elizabethan era of England, which was the age when females were considered significantly inferior to their male counterparts. Shakespeare has used this concept of gender for creating humour in his play. The characters Benedict and Beatrice are involved in a complex relationship which contrasts between love and hate. Both Beatrice and Benedict are strong willed, intelligent characters, who fear that falling in love will lead to a loss of freedom and eventually heartbreak. Various theories have been proposed which govern humour and comedy. The superiority theory proposed by Plato describes the darker side of comedy that Is often laughed at over unfortunate situations and social standings. Infirmity in others as compared to our own is often laughed at. These same principles has been applied to the story of the play, and the inferiority of females has been used as the basis for creating humour. [quick quote & example to back this up?] The characters Shakespeare's “Much Ado about Nothing” contribute to build the humorous essence of play through their roles. Several characters of the play presented comical language and gestures such as Benedick and Beatrice’s unromantic backbiting...
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...Major Themes in 'Much Ado About Nothing' Shakespeare’s treatment of love in Much Ado About Nothing differs from his other romantic comedies. Sure, it shares the same stagy plot, which finishes with the lovers finally getting back together, but Shakespeare also mocks the conventions of courtly love which was popular at the time. Although Claudio and Hero’s courtly marriage is central to the plot, their relationship is the least interesting thing in the play. Instead, our attention is drawn to Benedick and Beatrice’s unromantic backbiting – it is this relationship that seems more believable and enduring. By contrasting these two different types of love, Shakespeare manages to poke fun at the conventions of courtly, romantic love. Claudio uses highly contrived language when speaking of love, which is undermined by Benedick and Beatrice’s banter: “Can the world buy such a Jewel?” says Claudio of Hero. “My dear Lady disdain! Are you yet living?” says Benedick of Beatrice. As an audience, we are supposed to share Benedick’s frustration with Claudio’s transparent, pompous rhetoric of love: “He was wont to speak plain and to the purpose, like an honest man and a soldier … His words are a very fantastical banquet, just so many strange dishes.” Deception As the title suggests, there is a lot of fuss over very little in the play – after all, if Claudio wasn’t so impetuous, Don John’s rather weak plan wouldn’t have worked at all! What makes the plot so intricate is the use of deception...
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...characters in “Much Ado About Nothing” are the victims of deception, and because they’ve been deceived is the reason they act in the ways that they do. Even though the central deception is directed against Claudio in an attempt to destroy his relationship with Hero, it is the deception pertaining to Beatrice and Benedick which is the play's main focus. Almost every character in the play at some point has to make interpretations from what he or she sees, has been told or overheard. At the same time, nearly every character in the play at some point plays a part of consciously pretending to be what they are not. (Act I, Scene I) ”Thou wilt be like a lover presently and tire the hearer with a book of words. If thou dost love fair Hero, cherish it, and I will break with her and with her father, and thou shalt have her. Was't not to this end That thou began'st to twist so fine a story?” Here is when Don Pedro tries to put a spin on words making it sound like if Claudio really wants to be with Hero, they should first trick her into believing that Don Pedro is actually Claudio. They go on forward with the idea and as Don Pedro is swooning Hero with his words and charm at the masked ball and Claudio is actually eavesdropping near-by trying to make sure everything is going according to plan. Deception is one of the focal themes throughout the play which grows out of the love game. Deceit is not evil in nature; it can be used for the purpose good or bad outcomes. “In Much Ado About Nothing”...
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...In the comedic play, Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare, deception, love, quarrel, and death can be seen throughout the whole play. In this play, a company of warriors who are revered as valiant heroes come to Messina to celebrate their victory with the Noble, Leonato, and his family, Hero, Beatrice, and many others. This company is made up of the Prince, Don Pedro, his illegitimate brother, Don John, two Counts, Claudio and Benedick, and various other men. Once they arrive in Messina, they are happily welcomed, and as soon as Claudio set his eyes on Hero, he had fallen in love, but, devastatingly, his love was thwarted by Don John's ruse to deceive both him and the Prince. This is but one instance of how deception is used in this comedic play to contribute to the overall plot, thus through the use of deception in this play such as the scenes where Beatrice and Benedick were fooled, Claudio and Don Pedro were deceived, and everyone was tricked, the theme that deception is not inherently evil, but can be used as a means to an end is illuminated. To begin with, the theme is illustrated at various...
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... “Trickery or Deceit” Much Ado about Nothing, is one of Shakespeare’s, romantic comedies. I chose, Trickery or Deceit, as my title, because, sometimes in true life it’s difficult to determine the two. In this play deceit plays a major role. It first starts one week before the wedding. Hero and her friends decided that Beatrice and Benedick argue too much and did indeed share feelings for each other, And so they plotted a trick to make them fall in love, they included everyone in it, Don Pedro, Hero, Claudio pretended to say things about Beatrice loving Benedick so, that Benedict could hear. And then also pretended to speak alone in the garden, knowing of Beatrice’s presence they continued to say things of Benedick’s Love for Beatrice, which wooed the both of them and they both fell in love, but, had no idea they were being Deceived. But every ones happiness is to soon come to an end, as Don Jon plots to ruin their wedding.. He has Borachio pretend to court and make gestures at Hero, while Claudio and Don Pedro watched, when indeed it was Margaret whom he courted and had sex with. During my research of “Much Ado about Nothing”, I found that this is a perfect example of” Trickery or Deceit”, or both? My studies show that the author has an open mind and left the decision to be made by the audience. In the play Much Ado about Nothing, the word Nothing in the play’s title, pronounced in the Elizabeth English. Suggests...
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...Redeeming Comedy William Shakespeare is one of the first people we think of when theater comes to mind. He made a name for himself in the world by becoming a playwright and writing comedies as well as tragedies for people’s entertainment that are still used today. However, Shakespeare is not one of the names that immediately come to mind when we consider the world of theology and religion. Yet the basic themes of Christianity play a foundational role in many of the classic scenes found in Shakespeare’s most famous works. We can examine this through the Shakespearian element of redemption, a view of taking kindness on humanity that academics believe was his own. Shakespeare’s plays still have relevance today because of his redemptive view of the world and of human experiences, particularly in the comedies The Merchant of Venice, Much Ado About Nothing, and All’s Well That Ends Well. Much has been made of Shakespeare’s religious and theological grounding. The issues have been centered primarily on whether Shakespeare was Protestant or Catholic. Many prominent Roman Catholic scholars, including the Rev. David Beauregard, have gone to great lengths to assert that Shakespeare was in fact Roman Catholic. Beauregard says a now-lost eighteenth-century document suggested that Shakespeare’s father, John, was a devout Catholics and his mother, Mary, was a member of the staunchly Catholic Arden family of Park Hall. Beauregard points to very Catholic theological concepts found in Shakespeare’s...
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...Shakespeare on Film Name Institution Shakespeare on Film In “Othello”, one of shakespeare’s masterpieces, we see Iago showing hatred towards Othello. "I hate the Moor. My cause is hearted", here Iago converses with Rodrigo about how much he hates Othello, and he would help him in his conquest to get Desdemona for his lustful desires. Rodrigo's previous intentions were to drink is sorrows away, since he was hit by the sad realization that Desdemona is taken and there is nothing he could do about it rather than drink. Iago saw this as an opportunity to manipulate him into thinking that she was an easy girl to take possession and he would need lots of cash if he would stand a chance of winning his heart. The context depicts Iago as hateful since his statement clearly shows that he despises Othello with all his heart. With the help of Rodrigo, he could be able to have the fun at the moment where Othello will be at his weakest and vulnerable to anything. When Rodrigo has exited the scene, we see Iago remarking, "I hate the moor, thought abroad that twixt my sheets. He's done my office, I know not it be true, But I, for mere suspicion in that kind, Will do, as if for surety". It shows that Iago is suspicious that his wife had slept with Othello. The context elaborates his vengefulness by willing to play the tit for tat game and plant a seed of jealousy between...
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...was not for an age but for all time. `` The words of praise probably the most famous ever written about Shakespeare , were penned by Shakespeare`s good friend and follow writer `Ben Johnson`. For the poet and playwright generally considered the greatest ever is also one of the least known of all literary figures. And his works were indeed created for the popular entertainment of his day with little thought to their immortality. Shakespeare did not take any steps to preserve his writings past their immediate use. (Fortunately his friends did.) With all the academic study of Shakespeare and the trappings of fine culture that have been wrapped around productions of his dramas over the centuries, we often forget what a rollicking, bawdy and entertaining spectacle his plays presented to their original audience — and still can to a modern audience, in the right hands. The timelessness of Shakespeare's themes continue to keep his plays fresh. He dramatized basic issues: love, marriage, familial relationships, gender roles, race, age, class, humor, illness, deception, betrayal, evil, revenge, murder, and death. The essential question that Shakespeare explored in his plays is, "what does it mean to be a human being?" The genius of Shakespeare is that he manged to show us ourselves in every conceivable light. It really doesn't matter when the plays were written since they are about the human condition which is timeless. Shakespeare was an incredible observer of his fellow human...
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...A Shakespeare Merry-Go-Round What makes a Shakespeare play a comedy? There are many plays today that involve Tragedies, Comedies, and Histories. Nothing quite as unique as those of William Shakespeare. He paved his own path by merging duality into one. His free spirited nature is seen in the action parts of these plays and are often filled with disguise, mistaken identity, and creative chaos. The plot is extremely important as it evolves. It becomes twisted and confusing, and especially hard to follow. Some earlier plays like Measure for Measure, and All’s Well that Ends Well, contain scenes of such darkness that it seems wrong to view them as any idea of comedy labeling them as "problem plays" (Mullan). Shakespeare's overall composition of comedy is so contrived and convoluted making it necessary for them to have sub-categories. Disguise...
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