Don John Flaws

A tragic flaw is a secret characteristic, most of the time a weakness, that bring tragedy towards the character. In Much Ado About Nothing, written by William Shakespeare, a specific tragic flaw commonly occurs in the actions of Don John towards Don Pedro, Claudio, Hero, Borachio, and Leonato. Don John’s fatal flaw is his envy towards his brother, Don Pedro, which leads to chaos within others lives.
To begin, Don John had created a specific conflicts due to his envious spirit. For example, he plotted to ruin Claudio and Hero’s marriage. “Proof enough to misuse the prince, to vex Claudio, to undo Hero and to kill Leonato....” (Shakespeare 30). “Only to despite them I will endeavour anything.” (Shakespeare 30). In these quotes, Borachio, an …show more content…
Don John is no ordinary person, according to others in the book, he is an illegitimate brother of Don Pedro, the prince of Aragon. Him being considered illegitimate, people think of him as wrong, which resulted in the jealous spirit of Don John. “I am trusted with a muzzle, and enfranchised with a clog. Therefore I have not decreed to sing in my cage” (Shakespeare 25). Don John’s ultimate goal is to ruin the optimism created by his favored brother, thus leading him to manufacture a scheme good enough to ruin the match of Claudio and Hero. In the beginning his plan works, leaving Claudio to think Hero is unfaithful and Hero to an path of unknown. “Give not this rotten orange to your friend. She’s but the sign and semblance of her honor. Behold how like a maid she blushes here! Oh, what authority and show of truth. Can cunning sin cover itself withal! Comes not that blood as modest evidence.” (Shakespeare 66). Don John flees Arragon after his plan successfully, so he thinks, works. Claudio and Hero end up resolving their conflict, leading to the downfall of Don John. Don John was found, brought back to Leonato, and sentenced to punishment for a later