Skip to main content

What was Don John's plot in Much Ado about Nothing?

Don John wants to hurt his brother’s reputation by causing a scandal, so he interferes with Claudio and Hero’s wedding. 


Don John does not like his brother.  He is illegitimate, and he resents everything about his brother’s status and station.  Therefore, even though Don John comes to Don Pedro’s estate, he is not there to party.  He is there to cause trouble. 


I had rather be a canker in a hedge than a rose...

Don John wants to hurt his brother’s reputation by causing a scandal, so he interferes with Claudio and Hero’s wedding. 


Don John does not like his brother.  He is illegitimate, and he resents everything about his brother’s status and station.  Therefore, even though Don John comes to Don Pedro’s estate, he is not there to party.  He is there to cause trouble. 



I had rather be a canker in a hedge than a rose in
his grace, and it better fits my blood to be
disdained of all than to fashion a carriage to rob
love from any: in this, though I cannot be said to
be a flattering honest man, it must not be denied
but I am a plain-dealing villain. (Act 1, Scene 3) 



Don Pedro is a sort of sponsor for Hero and Claudio, and their wedding is imminent.  Don John sees this as the perfect opportunity to embarrass his brother.  He plots to ruin the wedding by making Claudio think that his betrothed has been untrue. 



Any bar, any cross, any impediment will be
medicinable to me: I am sick in displeasure to him,
and whatsoever comes athwart his affection ranges
evenly with mine. How canst thou cross this marriage? (Act 2, Scene 2) 



Claudio does not seem to have much strength of character.  He accepts what he has been told as real, even though the only proof he has that Hero cheated on him was a silhouette at a window.  That is enough for him.  Without asking her about it, he condemns her in front of everyone on their wedding day. 


Eventually, the truth does come out (despite the fact that Dogberry is on the case), and Don John is condemned.  Hero and Claudio end up together.  While this seems like a happy ending, in some ways it is not.  Hero has no choice but to go back to the man who rejected her, because her reputation will always be in question.  Don John’s legacy will haunt them.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is the meaning of "juggling fiends" in Macbeth?

Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a... Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a sense of guilt, and that man tells him: Despair thy charm. And let the angel whom thou still hast serve...
Post a Comment
Read more

In Martel's Life of Pi, how does writing a diary help Pi Patel build on his leadership skills?

At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can... At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can do this by writing down events, problems and solutions, and reflections to look back on when confronted with repeated problems. It can ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Why did Tybalt attack and kill Mercutio instead of Romeo, who he had originally been targeting?

Though Tybalt's quarrel is with Romeo, he begins the momentous duel in Act 3 by fighting with and killing Mercutio instead. Tybalt ultimately attacks Mercutio because the garrulous and hot-headed character insults Tybalt and goads him into a duel to protect Romeo's honor. From the beginning of the encounter in Act 3, Scene 1, it's clear that Mercutio is itching for a fight. For instance, when Tybalt signals that he wants to talk to Mercutio... Though Tybalt's quarrel is with Romeo, he begins the momentous duel in Act 3 by fighting with and killing Mercutio instead. Tybalt ultimately attacks Mercutio because the garrulous and hot-headed character insults Tybalt and goads him into a duel to protect Romeo's honor. From the beginning of the encounter in Act 3, Scene 1, it's clear that Mercutio is itching for a fight. For instance, when Tybalt signals that he wants to talk to Mercutio and Benvolio, Mercutio responds "And but one word with one of us?/ Couple it w...
Post a Comment
Read more