How Does Shakespeare Present Deception In Much Ado About Nothing

Cathy Chen

Mrs. Weber

AP Lit

1 March 2023

Revision

In the play, Much Ado About Nothing by Shakespeare, Don John is the half-brother of Don Pedro and shows his hatred toward Don Pedro. To illustrate the character the author then uses diction, figurative speech like metaphors, and anaphora to form and develop Don John’s character as a dark, mischievous person, revealing his thoughts and showing that he is also miserable because of his relationship with Don Pedro. Additionally, Shakespeare uses Don John to illustrate the idea of deception, appearance versus reality as he is deceiving the character and himself.

Likewise, the diction Don John uses reveals his true nature. It gives a dark, depressing tone, thus revealing how he feels about himself, "mortifying mischief" (Shakespeare 9). Don John describes himself in this way because he sees no value in himself and believes others have the same view of him. Moreover so, gives complete thought to the character with the self-mocking image. His deception towards others is shown as an antagonist, but he has a sorrowful past, "I am trusted with a muzzle". In what Don John said, he doesn’t feel like he is trusted by his companion or his brother, only with a muzzle, as he implies they are

portrays how much he feels trapped under his brother. He is willing to change, but due to the circumstances he is in, he has no chance until he has had his revenge and ruined his brother. It creates a complex thought in Don John's character. Thus, this shows Don Johns’s deception towards the audience. He has deeper thoughts and things he desires, but it is only seen that he has hatred, and he will hate his brother just because he is developed as a villain. But he is jealous, in pain, and he feels powerless. He does not want to be stuck under Don Pedro, so ruining him is how he will end his