The Character of Don John in William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing

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The Character of Don John in William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing The Shakespeare play Much Ado About Nothing is a romantic comedy set in Messina, Italy. In this play there is a thin line between it being a comedy and a tragedy, the only thing that stops this play being a tragedy is the happy ending and the fact that no one really dies. Throughout the play there are a series of upsets within the relationships between characters. Don John, who is the illegitimate brother of Don Pedro, causes most of this upset and trouble. Don Pedro is an important nobleman from Aragon. He is a long-time friend of Leonato and is also close to the soldiers that have been fighting under him (the younger Benedick and the very young Claudio). Don John's first words suggest he is socially isolated and emotionally cold. 'I thank you, I am not of many words, but I thank you.' After Leonato and his family had welcomed the small group of soldiers, Leonato welcomes Don John. I think at this point Don John feels as though he shouldn't really be there or feels like an outcast. The next time we meet Don John in the play in is Act I scene III. We learn that he has two associates, Conrade and Borachio. Borachio is the servant of Don John and the lover of Margaret who is Hero's serving women. In this part, we discover that Don John is very independent. ' …I cannot hide what I am: I must be sad when I have cause, and smile at no mans Jests, eat when I have stomach, and wait for no man's Leisure…' He is saying if he wants to feel something he will feel it and show it, regardless of what anyone else might think. D... ... middle of paper ... ...betrayed him at the masked party. Now his susceptibility to suspicion returns to haunt, this time with the support and encouragement of Don Pedro. The play goes on to the climax, which is the scene of Hero and Claudio's wedding. Claudio, as he swore he would, totally humiliated Hero after what he had saw from beneath her balcony. He told everyone she had been unfaithful to him. Hero's family decide to hide her away until the truth has come to light. Soon after, Borachio was overheard bragging about the part he plays in the breakdown of the relationship. Finally, he is arrested, along with Don John. Everyone learns that Hero is innocent, and Claudio, who believes she is dead, grieves for her. In the end Claudio and Hero marry. This is the happy ending which makes this a romantic comedy and not a tragedy.

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