Much Ado About Nothing Good And Bad Quotes

Good vs. Bad

John C. Maxwell once said, “There are two kinds of pride, both good and bad. ‘Good pride’ represents our dignity and self-respect. ‘Bad pride’ is the deadly sin of superiority that reeks of conceit and arrogance”. The meaning of this quote is manifested by the characters Don Pedro and Don John in the book Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare. In this romantic drama, the character Don John plays as the antagonist. He endeavors to ruin the love that some of the characters have, while Don Pedro tries to expand the love in the characters. This makes it hard for the characters in the book to fall in love because Don John is constantly coming up with ways to ruin the chemistry. In the book “Much Ado About Nothing” by William

Shakespeare, Don John serves as a character foil to Don Pedro because Don Pedro’s selflessness contrast with Don John’s selfishness; thus exemplifies good character vs bad character.

In the book “Much Ado About Nothing” by William Shakespeare, Don John is a character foil to Don Pedro because Don Pedro puts others before himself, while Don John puts himself before others.

For instance, when Don Pedro agrees to disguise himself as Claudio to talk to Hero at the dance, he shows selflessness by putting Claudio before himself. He didn’t have to help Claudio, but he did. The text states, “The fairest grant is the necessity. Look what will serve fit. ‘Tis once. Thou lovest” (Shakespeare 11). Don Pedro wants Claudio to be happy. On the contrary, Don John doesn’t want anything good for anyone but himself. This is shown when Don John discusses a plan to ruin Claudio and Hero’s wedding with Borachio. The text states “Will it serve for any model to build mischief on? What is he for a fool that betroths himself to unquietness?” (Shakespeare 14). Don John wants everyone to suffer wrath under him. This text evidence supports my claim because Don Pedro tries to help Claudio and work to his best interest, but Don John on the other hand wants to ruin Claudio's happiness. This creates conflict in the story because Don John only wants the worst for Claudio. As a result of this, Claudio ends up slandering Hero at the wedding because Don John falsely accused Hero of

cheating.

In the book “Much Ado About Nothing” by William Shakespeare, Don John is a character foil to Don Pedro because Don Pedro has a genuine spirit for helping people and being kind, while Don John has a forged kindness. For example, when Don Pedro is at the wedding and Don John is telling everyone that Hero has cheated, Don Pedro tries to comfort Leonato. Although, Don Pedro is telling Leonato to forget about Hero, which he shouldn’t, it’s only because he was fooled by his brother. Evidence from the text states “Why then are you no maiden...A thousand times in secret.” (Shakespeare 68). Moreover, Don Pedro only wanted to help Leonato, but he did not know that the information he was being told was false. Don John on the other hand, just wanted to make it seem like he cared, but really, he just wanted to make the situation worse. For example, in the text, he says “Fie, fie,they are...thy much misgovernment.”(Shakespeare 68). Thus shows that Don John does not truly feel sympathy for Leonato. This text evidence supports my claim because Don Pedro shows true empathy for Leonato by actually trying to help him, but Don John shows no empathy at all in his words. Don Pedros kindness is pure, but Don Johns is fake. As a result of this Claudio believes Don John when he tells him that Hero cheated on him.

In the book “Much Ado About Nothing” by William Shakespeare, Don John is a character foil to Don Pedro because Don John likes to start conflicts, while Don Pedro just gets pulled into them by others. Although Don John likes to start conflicts, he is never in them, he just likes to start them with other people. Evidence from the text states, “I came hither to tell you; and, circumstances shortened-for she has been too long a-talking of-the lady is disloyal” (Shakespeare 49). This shows that Don John not only made up a lie about Hero, but he also made Don Pedro and Claudio believe it! Don Pedro gets pulled into this conflict because, since Don John is his brother, he will most likely believe what he tells him. Text evidence to support this states, “And as I wooed for thee to obtain her, I will join with thee to disgrace her”(Shakespeare 50). Don Pedro listened to Don Johns lie and that caused him to change his feelings towards Hero. Don John affects the rest of the characters because his lie makes everyone accuse Hero falsely. As Don Pedro is the prince of Aragon, his opinion will change other people's opinion.

Don John’s character traits contrast with Don Pedro’s. This causes major conflicts in the story because as Don Pedro tries to fix things and help his friends, Don John tries to destroy them. Although these characters are very much opposites, they are also very much alike because of their importance to the story. The storyline would be very much dull if it weren’t for these characters. This romantic drama would not be called a romantic or a drama, if not for Don Pedro and Don John.