“Much Ado about Nothing”

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“Much Ado about Nothing”

The act of interpreting the world around us is a sensitive and involving issue that is significantly faced by up and downfalls regarding the human nature as well as individual’s perspective about life. William Shakespeare in his play “Much Ado about Nothing” has depicted deception and social disgrace as among of the major social realities that hinder betterment of the relationships in the society. Also, Shakespeare efficiently uses conflict in the attempt to convey through his characters that human nature has an ongoing conflict between the “self” and the “other.” In this romantic comedy, conflict is a critical element in conveying Shakespeare message of existentialism to the readers. The significant protagonists featured in the drama to bring out the counterfeiting human nature include Hero, Claudio, Beatrice, and Benedick. In his, work Shakespeare makes use of the social realities that are evident in the day to day life experience making his work exciting and significantly attracting the audience attention as well as willingness to read the play over again. In this paper, conflict is elaborated in a profound extent as a factor that portrays the human nature in the Shakespeare’s play in consideration of Claudio, Hero, and Beatrice as the central characters.

In the drama, many relationships between the characters are manipulated by others through emotions leading to significant effects. In the society with all kind of characters, social ferocity is inevitable, but the personal traits determine the influence incurred with regards to the social status. The author develops the characters put in consideration to be easily influenced into and out of love by the opinions of other people that are strictly related to them (Miller, page 21). The relationship between Claudio and Hero is an excellent example in that is easily manipulated by Don John into thinking Hero is an unroyal woman, which is far from the truth. However, Hero stands her ground in front of the men and does not give into their harsh words. Beatrice is a character who stands apart from Shakespeare’s typical representation of women during these times. Beatrice is admirable because she shows that she is comfortable in her skin and is not afraid to show her strength. Putting into consideration the relationship between Hero and Claudio and the character Beatrice, one can conclude that Shakespeare is trying to display the conflict between the “self” and the “other” through the emotion of the characters.

In developing the plot of the play, Shakespeare has significantly applied conflict as a significant motif in expressing how relationships are influenced by other people. For instance, Hero is a victim of the social influence that leads to a painful betrayal in public as her marriage with Claudio as a result of Don John’s propaganda. In the comedy, the major conflict rises when Don John appears and creates false accusations that Hero is unfaithful to Claudio. Among the charge put into place against Hero is that she usually talk with a man through the window at the late night. It is disgusting to learn that Claudio and Don Pedro falls into the Don John’s trap and agrees with him that Hero was not royal and does not deserve being Claudio’s marriage partner. The act of the Claudio, Benedick and Don Pedro having a common perception that marriage is a trap to men so that they can be deceived and controlled composes the actual conflict all the “ado about nothing” brought out in the play. Regardless of their beliefs about marriage, these men have great desire to get married (Shakespeare, page 6).

The rising action in the comedy is developed by the act of Claudio falling in love with Hero at the first instance, and he is curtained that she is a woman of impressing character. Also, Don Pedro, Claudio, and Benedick express their nervousness and qualms about marriage through jokes and amusing manner. It is then that Don Pedro encourages Hero about marriage on behalf of Claudio and how it will turn to be for them living together as couples. Later, Don John creates an illusion that Hero is unroyal to Claudio and she does not deserve marriage due to her severe traits. It was not the case as Don John spread the demoralizing publicities in due to ego and jealousy. The climax of the drama comes when Claudio publicly rejects Hero at the altar and insults her in accusation of immoral conduct. Claudio is supported by Don Pedro and concludes not going forward with the marriage activity. Beatrice and Benedick remained on the Hero’s side as they vehemently insisted that she was innocent.

The falling action also regards Claudio and Hero’s relationship as Benedick puts Claudio in a challenge for libeling his lover Hero. In public, Leonato claims that Hero died of grief at the beginning of the false accusation. Dogberry significantly brings to light the innocence of Hero, and it is evident that she has been loyal to her lover Claudio. After that, Claudio and Don Pedro are found guilty of insulting Hero as well as supporting Don John’s evil deeds, and they end up repenting iniquities. The resolution of the drama is seen by the act of Claudio blindly marrying a masked lady whom he believed to have never met before. It signifies that Claudio has walked out of the worries about marriage as well as being controlled by a woman and that he was ready to get married (WORKER, page 15). It was dumbfounding to reveal that the masked woman was Hero and they ended up a couple regardless of the obstacles put ahead by Don John out of jealousy.

The character’s emotions shift throughout the novel when they let the opinion of others influence them. In the play, central characters Claudio and Hero experience “love at first sight” and plan to get married very soon, however things take a change for the worst, and the wedding is called off. These two characters cause much tension and comedy throughout the play. The character Claudio is a victim of his identity being changed due to manipulation by Don John. Claudio loves Hero dearly, however, his entire perspective of her changes considerably when he falls under the trick of Don John’s wicked ways. Claudio is tricked into thinking Hero is talking to a man at a late hour through her window. Claudio cannot seem to trust anyone in the affairs of love, even someone as trustworthy as Hero. This scene of the play shows that Claudio is a naïve and unforgiving person. It is cruel of Claudio not to trust what Hero is telling him and instead of forgiving her, he seeks vengeance. Don John stands out as the villain of the play by his constant attempts to make Hero look as though she is not loyal to Claudio. These false accusations against Hero cause a considerable stir of conflict within the relationships of the characters. The characters face conflict throughout the novel of their identity being taken unwillingly, however also willingly. Claudio is an example of his personality being taken involuntarily. Claudio is influenced into thinking the woman of his dreams is now someone he does not want anything to do with (Howard, page 174).

In “Much Ado about Nothing,” when conflict strikes, the genuine personalities of the characters begin to be shown. Once Hero is bombarded with the false accusations of being untrustworthy to Claudio, she begins to show her weakness. The hero does not do a good job at defending herself in front of the crowd. Hero displays her first sign of weakness when she asks if Claudio is okay, instead of defending herself and proving to him that she is innocent. When Claudio “witnesses” Hero not being devoted, he immediately becomes spiteful of her and changes his whole view on their love. Claudio is quick to believe the things Don John tells him. Claudio’s naivety and jealousy are seen by his reaction towards Don John accusation against Hero and make his decision without clear evidence as well as with no consideration of her lover’s feelings. Claudio beliefs towards marriage and women make others take control of his social well-being as he is manipulated according to according to others ideas. His act of quickly falling into the Don John’s trap signifies he is not firm with his decisions and not decisive.

Beatrice is one of the characters that Shakespeare portrays as firm, considerate, trustworthy, decisive and lenient. She all the time throughout the comedy remains steady with her decisions and is not changed by the male counterparts who seem to dominate the society. She is a kind of woman that fights for the rights of other female and stands to the point of ensuring that justice is done regardless of the unconducive forces from the surroundings. It is incredible to learn that she prefers to remain unmarried and continue with her authentic life as an independent woman than being subjected to the marriage jealousy and its patriarchal nature (Hopkins, page 293). Beatrice stands for cohesion in the community, and this is evident with her reaction of standing firm with her cousin, Hero after she was accused untrustworthy by Don John. She is illustrated as a woman who stands for change and improvement of women’s equality in the society.

From the above discussion, “Much Ado about Nothing” Shakespeare significantly reveals the human nature in the society and how they are affected by the counterfeiting forces surrounding them in their day to day life. It is an illumination of the things that an individual is likely to face in the growth process especially in the peak point of achieving success. It requires firm decisions and principles to be able to overcome natural forces as well as cope up with others influence that may be depriving. For instance, Claudio was easily deceived by Don John not to marry Hero all because of jealousy. In the play, Don John acts as the corrupt and immoral people in the society that work as a hindrance to others success for their social-economic and political beneficiaries. Other peoples’ influence in life is good but in the right and constructive way. Therefore, it is recommended to be cautious and first make a clear investigation of the people’s influence before going against self-will.

References

Hopkins, Justin B. “Much Ado About Nothing.” Shakespeare Bulletin 31.2 (2013): 292-297.

Howard, Jean E. “Renaissance antitheatricality and the politics of gender and rank in Much Ado About Nothing.” Shakespeare Reproduced. Routledge, 2013. 171-195.

Miller, Jacques-Alain. “Language: Much Ado About What?.” Lacan and the Subject of Language (2014): 21-35.

Shakespeare, William. Much ado about nothing. Vol. 29. Cambridge University Press, 2003.

WORKER, MIRACLE. “Much Ado About Nothing.” (2017).