Much Ado About Nothing Humor Analysis

The Creation of Humor and Drama In Much Ado About Nothing, Shakespeare created a lighthearted comedy regarding love and all that it entails, with entertaining characters. Although Much Ado About Nothing is a comedy, drama also plays a factor in the story through the diverse mix of serious personalities such as Don John, with more humorous personalities such as Benedick. In addition to these extremes on the serious-humorous spectrum, Shakespeare also uses more complex personalities, such as Leonato with a balance between humor and seriousness, and Dogberry with the comedic articulations of serious ideas. Don John in Much Ado About Nothing is portrayed as a very serious and slightly depressing character. He has a very negative personality. This shows when his accomplice Conrade asks him why he is sad, and despite all of the luxuries he has been given by staying in Leonato’s home, his response is “There is no measure in the occasion that breeds; therefore the sadness is without limit” (1.3.3-5). In addition to his negative attitude, Don John also attempts to ruin other people’s positive attitude. He shows this by trying to trick …show more content…
Leonato does not show seriousness in other people’s matters, but takes himself and his reputation seriously. When thinking about the possibility of his daughter’s unfaithfulness, Leonato made the comment “If they speak but truth of her, These hands shall tear her; if the wrong her honour, The proudest of them shall well hear of it” (4.1.192-195). By saying this, Leonato is implying that if his daughter has truly been unfaithful, he would want to destroy the proof to save his name. But if the other men have lied about Hero’s unfaithfulness, Leonato would only spread the word of the scandal to ruin their reputation. By putting reputation over family, Leonato shows his seriousness about himself and about anything that may affect