Much Ado About Nothing Literary Analysis

The play Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare consists of many themes which grow out of the ‘game of love'. The two main themes consist of perception and deception. Through the plot complications, character development and dramatic techniques these themes can be explored. In the play deception is shown on both good and evil sides, the game of love between Beatrice and Benedick and the Don John plot to split up Hero and Claudio. Perception is a theme used in most of Shakespeare's plays. Perceptive views by the characters help portray the game of love. Hero is perceived as dead which then Claudio is sorry and feels for her. Beatrice and Benedick's loved is clouded by each other's perceptions and arguments.

Throughout the history of the world, honor has been an important part of life. In literature, as well, honor plays an important role in many plots and the development of almost any character. Shakespeare’s play Much Ado About Nothing is no exception. In this comedy about love and marriage, honor is revealed as the primary reason for many of the actions taken by several different characters. When Claudio breaks off his wedding with Hero, he does it because he believes she is not chastised as she claims to be and in being such, she would dishonor him as well as her father if the marriage were to proceed as planned. The play is an accurate depiction of the honor code and the different standards for men and women of the time in regards to

Comparing it to Hero, he means that she might be beautiful and innocent on the outside, and trick you with that, but is actually not pure and corruptive. Claudio also says that Hero blushes “like a maid”, suggesting that she blushes with guiltiness and not modesty. He thinks to know what is really going on and this is an example where he tries to find anything that might go against her. He then accuses her of having “cunning sin”, referring to the fact that her cuteness will believably cover all her wickedness.

Drama text, Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare is a romantic comedy revolved around marriage, dishonesty and love. In 2007, the original play had been interpreted and adapted into a new film text; Much Ado About Nothing Shakespeare Retold. This new film version is an adaption for the modern audience who’s views around love and marriage have changed since Elizabethan times. Brian Percival ‘Retold’ the original play, first published in 1623 by reinterpreting it into his own understanding of modern society with the focus of women’s roles nowadays. Whilst doing this Percival has maintained many of Shakespeare’s intentions.

            Hero does not get a chance to mull over the idea of Claudio as a husband.  Even the audience knows little about her going into the now famous “shaming scene.”  Details about Hero’s virtues and personality are purposely left out, partially to satisfy the dominant male perspective in the play, but also to give more clout to the heinous claim that Claudio makes during the wedding.  The reactions of Hero’s father and others indicate that a woman’s virtues are only as good as a man says they are.

As the perception of women changes constantly, society is the only factor in creating their ideal image. These societal views are the basis of their treatment, with the expectation that it is beneficial for them. However, societal expectations of women in the Elizabethan and Victorian eras severely limit their freedoms and rights. William Shakespeare’s Othello and Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein portray most women in their typical roles. Both authors depict the level of injustice in society’s treatment of women through the passivity of women causing their deaths, the silencing of vulnerable women and the portrayal of women as more humane than men.

In William Shakespeare’s play Much Ado About Nothing, love has played a major rule as theme in this play. Shakespeare discussed different kinds of loving relationships; romantic love, family support and loyal friendship, and he shows how different characters react to love in many different ways. The main plot of Much Ado About Nothing is that of the relationship between Claudio and Hero, and the hidden love between Benedick and Beatrice. Similarly, deception is a big concept to consider as a theme in this play. Each of the main characters being the victim of deception; Shakespeare in this play shows that deception is not inherently evil, but can also be pure.

  Much Ado About Nothing raises many important issues concerning the institution of marriage. Perhaps Shakespeare's purpose in writing this play was to question the existing approach to relationships and marriage. Shakespeare reveals the faults of the process through the characters of Hero and Claudio and also Hero's father, Leonato. Shakespeare also may be suggesting an alternative approach to marriage and relationships through the characters of Beatrice and Benedick.

Hero, the unfortunate damsel in distress, sacrificing her own marriage and pretending to perish in order to ameliorate the reputation of her family, compelled to work upon the words of other’, Hero is actually a hero according to the denotation of the word “hero” in “Much Ado About Nothing.” Born into royalty, Hero endures a traumatic incident, but eventually achieves her destiny. One of Shakespeare’s major themes is deception regarding gender roles. With his use of characteristic archetypes, he evokes that deception is what lies between perception and reality, which in this case drives Claudio to misconstrue the reality. A man’s superiority towards a woman is prominent throughout the play and Shakespeare recognizes that a woman’s place in society is much more than standing inferior to men. By portraying Hero’s death, he shows the immense guilt Claudio suffers form and merely suggests that Hero is more than just an object. She is a hero, who, with her sacrificial death, cleanses her family’s reputation and marries the man of her drema. Overcoming the abominable deception imprinted upon Hero, she proclaims herself a hero by fulfilling her goals and through her role, Shakespeare portrays the role of women via society’s views on gender roles.

Women have always been subjected to sexism throughout history and especially in the Shakespearean era. Much Ado About Nothing is a romantic comedy written by William Shakespeare and showcases a story about two people once divided by their past finally ending their hatred for one another and begin to fall in love for each other. It is a tale that shows how evil cannot destroy the love between two people. In this play, the reputation of a woman named Hero is at stake after being accused of disloyalty to her soon-to-be husband, Claudio. In Much Ado About Nothing, the important lesson of this play is how women must have a good reputation during this time period.

Much Ado About Nothing was written by William Shakespeare just before the beginning of the seventeenth century. During this time, life was dictated in Elizabethan England by rigid protocols of proper etiquette as decided by the Church of England. Such formalities pervaded every facet of the day to day life but was most often seen in the domestic lives of men and women. As was the social standard at the time, marriage was a responsibility of men and women alike to secure affluence and legacy. However, marriage did not end with a stereotypical “happily ever after”. In fact, it was quite the contrary. The obsession with female chastity and the fear of cuckolding created suspicion between the typical Elizabethan couple. William Shakespeare uses Much Ado About Nothing, as a comedy to portray the larger-than-life lives of Elizabethan couples and the roles they played, obsession over purity and fidelity, or the lack of it, gender equality, and the overall importance of honor are seen throughout, supported by commentary and actions from the characters.

In his comedy Much Ado About Nothing, William Shakespeare raises numerous ethical issues regarding deception and the treatment of women through Hero and Claudio’s relationship. Throughout the play, Hero is denied the opportunity to be an active participant in her own relationship, revealing the powerlessness imposed upon women by Elizabethan society. Hero and Claudio’s relationship unnecessarily begins with an act of deception. When Claudio reveals his feelings for Hero to Don Pedro, Don Pedro promptly concludes Claudio “shalt have her” and devises a plan (1.1.305).

In Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, the theme of honor is what ultimately directs this play. The main plot deals with suspected infidelity between Claudio and his soon to be bride, Hero. In the time that this play is set, a woman’s virginity defined her worth and sustained a man’s honor.

Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing is a romantic comedy narrating the story of Beatrice and Benidick, two people who are against romantic love, and the story of the soldier Claudio and Hero, the sole heiress to Leonato’s wealth. In addition to the play’s humour arising from the misnoting of events, Hero’s character also embodies the desirable characteristics of an ideal woman during Shakespeare’s time, including beauty and wealth, as well as silence and obedience. The ideal woman during Shakespeare’s time was physically beautiful and economically wealthy. After Claudio first meets Hero, he enters into a dialogue with Benedick.

Shakespeare uses the literary device, motif with the image of the masked characters and with the masked language of Benedick and Beatrice. In each instance that a masked character or masked language is used, deception intensifies. In Act I, Scene 1, Claudio says about Hero, “That I love her, I feel” (Shakespeare 1.1.205). Bear in mind, Claudio just arrived in Messina and laid eyes on Hero for the first time. Thus, his declaration of love seems impulsive and uncertain. Claudio knows little about Hero, so his desire to have her must rest on her appearance alone. Still, Don Pedro offers to help unite Claudio with Hero. He initiates a matchmaking scheme. He says, “I will assume thy part in some disguise / And tell fair Hero I am