“A miracle! Here’s our own hands against our hearts” (5.4.91). This proclamation, made by the sworn interminable bachelor Benedick of the play Much Ado About Nothing, expresses the love he vowed he’d never fall into, and demonstrates the extreme effect that a lie can spark. His story with Beatrice, another character, shows that good things can result out of deceitful situations, while Hero’s, another character’s, shows that that is not always the case. Throughout the play, William Shakespeare uses the characters Beatrice, Benedick, and Hero to establish the theme of deception. Shakespeare uses the three to develop the theme deeply by juxtaposing their storylines and consequently showing both the benignant and the adverse impact that a lie can have on a person and a community.
First and foremost, Shakespeare uses Hero to demonstrate the negative effects that a lie can have. She is portrayed as the sweet, innocent governor’s daughter who wants to …show more content…
Shakespeare introduces Beatrice as a witty, outspoken woman who often butts heads with Benedick. Though she often jests at Benedick, the craftiness of others and her own inclination eventually leads to her falling in love. The very thought of her loving him is first sparked in her mind when she listens in to Ursula asking Hero, “But are you sure that Benedick loves Beatrice so entirely?” (3.1.37). This presumably leads to her thinking about some unresolved feelings she may have for Benedick, for she says “If thou dost love, my kindness shall incite thee to bind our loves up in a holy band; for others say thou dost deserve, and I believe it better than reportingly” (3.1.113). Eventually, she is so moved by love that she announces to Benedick, “I love you with so much of my heart that none is left to protest” (4.1.284). Through her affection-masking insults, which eventually turn into proclamations of love, Beatrice is used to exhibit one of deception’s positive
First and foremost, Shakespeare uses Hero to demonstrate the negative effects that a lie can have. She is portrayed as the sweet, innocent governor’s daughter who wants to …show more content…
Shakespeare introduces Beatrice as a witty, outspoken woman who often butts heads with Benedick. Though she often jests at Benedick, the craftiness of others and her own inclination eventually leads to her falling in love. The very thought of her loving him is first sparked in her mind when she listens in to Ursula asking Hero, “But are you sure that Benedick loves Beatrice so entirely?” (3.1.37). This presumably leads to her thinking about some unresolved feelings she may have for Benedick, for she says “If thou dost love, my kindness shall incite thee to bind our loves up in a holy band; for others say thou dost deserve, and I believe it better than reportingly” (3.1.113). Eventually, she is so moved by love that she announces to Benedick, “I love you with so much of my heart that none is left to protest” (4.1.284). Through her affection-masking insults, which eventually turn into proclamations of love, Beatrice is used to exhibit one of deception’s positive