Comparing Don Pedro And Don John In Much Ado About Nothing

Thesis- In William Shakespeare’s “ Much Ado About Nothing” Don Pedro and Don John are brothers and through their relationship we see how they are a foil for each other and just how very different they are through their actions and words.

BP1-Even before Much Ado begins, the main character Don Pedro is described in the cast as the Prince of Aragon, while Don John is noted as his illegitimate brother. These words show the difference in the two characters as one brother being seen as noble and and strong and the other being seen as an undesirable in those times. In Act 1, scene 3, we learn how Don John sees himself. “I had rather be a canker in a hedge than a rose in his grace,”(Shakespeare 23) about not wanting to be in Don John’s favor. “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.” Don John is not looking to be loved and accepted but instead accepts his role and his place in the shadows of his brother.

BP2- In Act 1 Scene 2 of Much Ado, a conversation between Claudio and Don Pedro has been overheard.

Don John’s follower Borachio reports to Don John, leading to a first attempt of deception to be set up by Don John. The news goes to Don John who says “ Come, come, let us thither. This is food to my displeasure. That young start-up hath all the glory of my overthrow. If I can cross him any way, I bless myself every way…” (Shakespeare 15). Don John immediately sees this plan as an opportunity to do harm both to Claudio- honored for his actions against Don John- and to Don Pedro. Don John is setting the tone of his character as a villain while his brother Don Pedro, is the prince and is very active in the other character’s

lives.

BP3-Act 4 Scene 1 of Much Ado, Hero is being publicly shamed on her wedding day. Don John had his second attempt at deception against Don Pedro and Claudio. This time by accusing Hero of not being faithful to Claudio and proving it. Don John’s plot showed how Don Pedro was just backup for Claudio and looks weak as a character. Don Pedro never questioned his brother’s role and it was Bennedick who suggests that “The practice of it lives in John the Bastard” (Shakespeare 187)and that Don John is somehow behind it all. Don Pedro was a prince and hero throughout the book until this moment. Don John set up this scheme of Hero not being loyal to Claudio to make his brother look bad. Don Pedro falsely accuses Hero in front of everyone in Messina and her reputation is ruined.

Conclusion- In” Much Ado about Nothing” although the two brothers have the name “Don” in common they do not share many other similarities. Don Pedro is portrayed as a war hero with strength and character. Don John is is portrayed as a scumbag with no character. With all of the issues in the book we can see the true traits in each of the brothers that they may not show.