Throughout the play, Don John is very candid about his yearning to ruin Claudio. In fact, while talking to Borachio about his plan to ruin Claudio’s marriage, Don John bluntly asserts, “If I can cross him any way, I bless myself every way” (I.iii.65-66). Shakespeare makes Don John’s intentions transparent in order to emphasize the pure wickedness of Don John’s desires to ruin Claudio’s life– he will go to any measure to achieve his goals, regardless of the consequences. Don John also neglects the possible effects on other people's reputations through his acts of deception. He assures Claudio that Hero is unfaithful, “I came hither to tell you;... she has been too long a-talking of, the lady is disloyal” (III.ii.95-97).…