appearance vs reality much ado about nothing essay

Appearance and Reality in Much Ado About Nothing by Shakespeare

Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing centers on themes of appearance and reality, and how the perception of either contributes to the events of the story. In the very early stages of the story, the banter between Benedick and Beatrice appears cruel and antagonistic but as the narrative progresses, the reader learns of their real feelings for each other. The masked ball is another prime example that is also symbolic as a whole, in which mistaken identity leads to confusion and adverse feelings for both Claudio and Benedick. The antagonists of the story use these misconceptions to their advantage, for instance, when Don John fools Claudio into thinking that his future wife is unfaithful. And perhaps the most extreme use of the device is when Leonato makes it seem like his daughter Hero is dead.

The relationship between Benedick and Beatrice is hostile and combative at first, which can be seen through phrases such as “I am loved of all ladies, only you excepted” in the first scene of Act One (Jamieson, 2020). They are often depicted bickering together or talking negatively about each other to their friends. However, both are easily tricked by their friends when they are told that both have romantic feelings for each other. It is this illusion or appearance of positive feelings that fuel some of their more friendly interactions further in the story.

Claudio is tricked into believing that Hero is unfaithful when Borachio stages a situation in which Hero appears to be with another man. As such, Claudio is convinced of her infidelity and becomes hostile towards her, and no longer wished to marry her, which is the desired effect the villain had planned for. Lastly, the most prominent case of appearance versus reality appears in Hero’s staged death. After Claudio accuses her of being unfaithful, Hero faints, and Leonato decides to take her into hiding while claiming that she is dead. Due to this, when Claudio discovers Borachio and Don John’s ploy, he feels remorse and guilt over Hero’s death.

He agrees to marry another of Leonato’s daughters without seeing her first. He discovers that is actually Hero and the two reconcile. The theme of appearance and reality is a vital component to most of the plot points within the story and an important factor of it is reflected in the fact that while the characters are unsuspecting of the truth, the audience is aware of the real events of the narrative.

The Elizabethan culture was subject to many formalities and social conventions. This especially pertained to gender roles, marriage, and fidelity. Although Much Ado About Nothing is set in Messina, Italy, Shakespeare echoes much of the Elizabethan culture within the character’s dynamics and relationships. The era at the time placed significant value on honor and pride, which resulted in people upholding their status even if it was done through deception and public appearance.

These values translate into multiple characters, with Benedick desiring to be free of marriage and as such acting against his feelings for Beatrice to appear independent and not cuckolded. Equally, Claudio believes his pride and honor to be adversely affected by Hero’s supposed unfaithfulness. Don John uses deception to elevate his own status and to create an environment that is beneficial to him. As such, many characters retain the values of an Elizabethan culture through their behavior and actions.

Jamieson, L. (2020). Understand the major themes of Much Ado About Nothing . ThoughtCo. Web.

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Much Ado About Nothing

William shakespeare, everything you need for every book you read..

Much Ado About Nothing dwells on the way that language and communication affect our perception of reality. It is important to remember nothing (besides marriage) actually happens in the play—there are no fights, deaths, thefts, journeys, trials, illnesses, sexual encounters, losses or gains of wealth, or anything else material. All that changes is the perception that these things have happened, or that they will happen: that Hero is no longer a virgin, or that she has died, or that Claudio and Benedick will fight.

Tricks of language alone repeatedly change the entire situation of the play. Overheard conversations cause Benedick and Beatrice to fall in love, and the sonnets they have written one another stop them from separating once the prank behind their romance has been revealed. The idea that we live in a world of language and appearances, beyond which we cannot see, is common throughout Shakespeare. The famous quote that “All the world’s a stage,” is another example.

By the end, the false language in Much Ado About Nothing has almost overwhelmed the reality. Characters have fallen into the roles given to them in the lies told about them: Benedick and Beatrice have become lovers, and Hero is treated like a whore by her own father. Ironically, the only character with the knowledge to replace this false language with the truth is the completely inarticulate Dogberry .

Language, Perception and Reality ThemeTracker

Language, Perception and Reality Quotes in Much Ado About Nothing

“I cannot be said to be a flattering honest man, it must not be denied but I am a plain-dealing villain.”

“Friendship is constant in all other things Save in the office and affairs of love: therefore all hearts in love use their own tongues; Let every eye negotiate for itself And trust no agent; for beauty is a witch Against whose charms faith melteth into blood.”

“Silence is the perfectest herald of joy: I were but little happy, if I could say how much.”

“Note this before my notes; There’s not a note of mine that’s worth the noting.”

“…of this matter Is little Cupid’s crafty arrow made, That only wounds by hearsay.”

“Well, every one can master a grief but he that has it.”

“Seest thou not, I say, what a deformed thief this fashion is? how giddily he turns about all the hot bloods between fourteen and five-and-thirty?”

“Oh what men dare do! what men may do! what men daily do, not knowing what they do!”

“There is not chastity enough in language Without offence to utter them.”

“O that he were here to write me down an ass! but, masters, remember that I am an ass; though it be not written down, yet forget not that I am an ass.”

“Charm ache with air and agony with words.”

“For there was never yet philosopher That could endure the toothache patiently, However they have writ the style of gods And made a push at chance and sufferance.”

“I was not born under a rhyming planet.”

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Much ado about nothing: advanced york notes, william shakespeare, illusion and reality.

The centrality of illusion and reality is established with the false accusation against Hero. Beatrice called Claudio civil as an orange and jealous (II.1.2.23) overemphasis upon male honour and female virginity in a patriarchal society fosters illusion. Give not this rotten orange to your friend (IV.1.24) Claudio storms. His metaphor means hypocrisy – wholesome in appearance but morally corrupt within. Claudio denounces Hero for the supposed discrepancy between her outward graces (IV.1.94) as chaste as Diana - ironically true – and her unruly blood or corrupt heart – ironically an illusion. The power of illusion is enhanced when fabrications oblige Beatrice and Benedick to express their real feelings of love for each other.

Claudio’s idealised love for Hero masked fear and aggression, which erupts in the chapel. Beatrice’s and Benedick’s love began in illusory antagonism and was sealed in aggression with the demand for Claudio’s death. Claudio’s wrong had to be righted, his character redeemed and Hero had to get her heart’s desire. iambic pentameter ">Blank verse and references to death and rebirth elevate the marriage ceremony. Emphasis is upon the constancy of her affection. Claudio’s misapprehension and slander buried her worth. Now that his vision has cleared, her reality can be revealed.

The constant play of illusion raises the issue of the subjectivity of perception and makes drama itself a theme. With plays within plays, the audience becomes aware of the actors playing characters, who are themselves playing other parts within the play. Although illusion entertains and can lead to the revelation of truth, it is also potentially destructive, as with Hero. The question is raised of what is real. Appropriately for a comedy, the answer would appear to be love, even though it too originates in illusion.