Another Much Ado About Nothing

Word Count: 649

The plot of "Much Ado About Nothing" is an elaborate
network of schemes and tricks. This statement is confirmed
throughout "Much Ado About Nothing". The play contains
many examples of tricks and schemes that are used to
manipulate the thoughts and feelings of characters. The
major examples of such manipulation include- Don Pedro,
Claudio and Leonato tricking Benedick into believing that
Beatrice loves him, Hero and Ursula trick Beatrice into
thinking Benedick is in love with her. The relationship
between Claudio and Hero also endures much manipulation.
For instance Don John and Borachio trick Claudio and the
Prince into believing Hero is unfaithful. As in the tradition of
Shakespeare, the Friar deceives everybody into thinking
Hero is dead.

An instance of trickery involves Benedick being manipulated
to believe Beatrice is in love with him. This trickery is carried
out playfully by Don Pedro, Leonato and Claudio. They
realise Benedick's stubbornness in Act II Scene iii, when he
states "man is a fool when he dedicates his behaviours to
love." Due to this stubbornness Don Pedro, Leonato and
Claudio must devise a way of attaining the love amid
Benedick and Beatrice. In Act II Scene iii the men
accomplish this by way of waiting for Benedick to be within
ears reach, then raising the topic of Leonato's niece
Beatrice. Don Pedro’s reference about "your niece Beatrice
was in love with Signor Benedick." helps to accomplish such
manipulation. This scheme is completed when this is
overheard by Benedick, and due to his insecurity about love
he falls for their trick, thus loving Beatrice.

Another example of manipulation that is closely related to
the one involving Benedick but Beatrice becomes the focus
of the scheme. Like Benedick, Beatrice's feelings about love
are strong and opposing. When she states "Not till God
make men of some other mettle than earth" she assumes that
her desired partner does not exist. Hero and Ursula believe
that Benedick would make a good husband for Beatrice and
as a result of this, they plan a scheme to bring about love
between Beatrice and Benedick. Hero and Ursula
accomplish theiThis is ONLY a preview of the article. If you would like to view the entire document, you must subscribe to Electronic References. Please register below now!

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