The Use of Deception Within Act II of Much Ado About Nothing

      In Act II of the play Much Ado About Nothing Shakespeare demonstrates multiple examples of deception. Although there are examples of positive deception such as creating white lies to benefit certain characters, there are also examples of negative deception that could lead to conflict. For example in Act II, scene  I, Don Pedro realizing how miserable Beatrice is, and given the history between herself and Benedick, decided to end their quarreling by  tricking both of them to fall in love with each other. "I will teach you how to humor your cousin that she shall fall in love with Benedick; and I, with your two helps, will so practice on Benedick that, in despite of his quick wit and queasy stomach, he shall fall in love with Beatrice" (II.I.350-356). Don Pedro, Leonate, Claudio, and Hero all realize that Beatrice and Benedick are both miserable as their argument grow more tiresome and childish. Benedick's and Beatrice's refusal to get married and hatred for love is foolish. Their friends seeing their pain fool them into falling in love with each other to help end their misery and embrace love an joy. In this form, deception is a positive thing. However, Shakespeare also expresses the negative forms of deception . For example in Act II, scene II, we learn of Don John's plan to ruin Claudio's and hero's wedding plans. "Any bar, and cross, any impediment will be medicinable to me. I am sick in displeasure to him, and whatsover comes athwart his affection ranges evenly with mine. How canst thou cross this marriage?" (II.II.4-8) Don John angry at his brother as being the prince and him the baster, decides to decisive his friends and thwart Claudio's and Hero's wedding . With the help of Borachio, Don John will imply that Hero is not a virgin and is in love with another. Then on the night before the wedding, Don John will lead Don Pedro and Claudio to Hero's window where they will see Borachio disguised as the secret lover, make love to a servant, who will appear as thou Hero. In this case, deception is a negative thing. as Don John's lies and tricks are harming those around him. Overall both examples express that deception can be positive or negative depending on how it affects those involved. Shakespeare