ter> Discuss The Importance Of Noting In Much Ado About Nothing Noting, or observing, is central to many of the ideas in Much Ado About Nothing. The word nothing was pronounced as noting in Elizabethan times, and it seems reasonable to presume that the pun was intended by Shakespeare to signal the importance of observation, spying and eavesdropping in the play. As a plot device, these occurrences propel the action and create humour and tension. The perils of noting incorrectly are portrayed and this leads naturally to the investigation of another major theme, the discrepancy between appearance and reality. Shakespeare uses the problems of illusion, deception and subjectivity of perception to examine the Elizabethan patriarchy, and he shows how adhering to convention can distort the views of societys leaders. Plot development and comedy in Much Ado rely heavily on the use of noting. The play appears to have a simple plot; the romantic couple, Claudio and Hero, are denied marital joy by the evil Don John while the sub-plot, Beatrices and Benedicks resisted but growing love, provides us with some humour until order and happiness are re-established in Messina.
However, Shakespeare cleverly employs the many forms of noting (observation, misunderstanding, misreporting) to move the dramatic action forward. The main plot and the sub-plots are laced together with this device and, to emphasise the importance of noting, the audience is denied viewing the vital episode where Claudio and Don Pedro witness what they think is Heros debauchery we observe the watch eavesdropping on Borachio recounting the event to Conrade. This eavesdropping reminds us of the orchard scenes where Beatrice and Benedick are tricked into loving each other. They both come closer to a position of self-knowledge and this enables the merry war of Beatrice and Benedick to move a step further to its conclusion. The orchard scenes, along with the scenes involving The Watch, are a major source of humour in the play. Eavesdropping leads to Beatrices and Benedicks most hilarious lines and Dogberrys continued misunderstandings and malapropisms help soften the tone of the play as they follow the more sinister sections. Dogberrys insistence on others noting that Conrade called him an ass is especially funny: Oh that I had been writ down an ass (4.
The Essay on How Tension Is Created in the Play “a View from the Bridge?
In this essay I am going to discuss how tension is created in the play “A View from the Bridge” written by Arthur Miller, but more specifically how tension is created at the end of Act One. A View from the Bridge is set in Red Hook, New York full of Italian Americans who struggle to earn a living. In the 1950’s, Italy was a very poor country however immigration was made illegal before this, in ...
2. 70-71).
The audience enjoys the irony that Dogberry has been writ down an ass by Shakespeare himself. The Watchs inability to reveal what they have correctly noted, however, also adds to the tension of the play. Heros shame could have been avoided. Noting is one of the plays main preoccupations, and making observation integral to the plot demonstrates and emphasises its importance. Because noting/observing has such importance in Messina (and, by implication, Elizabethan society), manipulation and deception are used by the dark forces in the play to exercise power and control.
Don John is a stock Elizabethan villain whose intention is to harm all those involved in his downfall especially Claudio. Twice he tries to convince Claudio that Hero favours another. These episodes both involve deception and slander and this malevolence distorts Claudios perception of the events. Both times Claudio notes incorrectly and his willingness to believe falsehoods and attribute blame first to beauty (for beauty is a witch 2. 1. 135), then to Heros base nature (savage sensuality 4.1. 135) also point to self-deception about love, honour and women.
Claudios failure to distinguish appearance from reality is brought about by his romantic idealism. Hero becomes an illusion in which all womanly virtue and beauty are contained (Can the world buy such a jewel 1.1.108-109).
He can not note Heros flesh and blood humanity and, later, he can not note her innocence. His devotion to courtly ideals seems to be the real reason he can not distinguish appearance from reality and Don Johns slander only reinforces his natural misogyny and mistrust. This inability to note things correctly due to deception helps demonstrate the gap between appearance and reality in Messina society. The subjectivity of perception creates problems in the patriarchal, Messina society.
The Essay on Friends Date Two Woman Claudio Benedick Hero
'Much Ado About Nothing' In the play 'Much Ado About Nothing', William Shakespeare describes how a person can do a lot of things out of nothing. There are four main characters in this play that find a lot to do about stupid things and it can make things very difficult. The main characters are: Benedick, Claudio, Beatrice, and Hero. Shakespeare explains the roles of these four different characters ...
Why are some of the characters in Messina perceptive and others not? It appears that Shakespeare is making a damning observation of Elizabethan society. During the dramatic denunciation scene, only Friar Francis, Beatrice and Benedict correctly perceive Heros innocence. Friar Francis states this clearly: …by noting of the lady. I have marked A thousand blushing apparitions …trust not my age, My reverence, calling nor divinity, If this sweet lady lie not guiltless here, Under some biting error 4.1. 150-162 Leonato, however, can not perceive the innocence of his own daughter. He immediately sides with Claudio and Don Pedro and notes that they would not lie: Would the two princes lie, and Claudio lie, Who loved her so, that speaking of her foulness, Washed it with tears? Hence from her, let her die.
4.1. 145-147 Leonatos adherence to the male codes of honour and virtue cloud his perception. He, too, suffers from Claudios distorted view of women. This illusion, the Dian goddess that Claudio refers to, seems to be drawn from male idealism because Leonato and Claudio feel it is their honour that Hero has besmirched. Don Pedro, Leonato and Claudio are so immersed in the conventions and codes of patriarchal society that their ability to note correctly is impaired. They may be capable of self-perception, but they are bound by the rituals surrounding their roles (Hero demonstrates this problem – the wit and intelligence she displays in front of her own sex is hidden when men are around.
Patriarchal society demands she play the role of silent goddess).
Benedick turns his back on these codes when he challenges Claudio. He is able to perceive Heros innocence and suspect Don Jons involvement because he exists on the periphery of society. This can also be said for Beatrice (she is an orphan and does not have Heros parental pressure).
The Essay on Understand The Character Society Heroes People
In the discussion which way is the best to get to understand the character of a society, many opinions have emerged. One of them is that to understand the characters of the he ores or heroines the society has choosen as the elites is the best method. In my opinion, to judge the true inner characters of a certain society, the comprehensive consideration of all aspects is required. That is, heroes ...
They both eschew the courtly style and behaviour expected of Hero and Claudio and are able to think and act in a freer fashion. Friar Francis, being a cleric, definitely stands outside of society, and the others to note correctly, The Watch, belong to a totally different class. It seems that Shakespeare is suggesting that only those that are not controlled by patriarchal rules and rituals are capable of an undistorted view of life.
The inability of the Messina aristocracy to note correctly points to this reading. Much Ado About Nothing ends with order restored. The masks come off, perhaps to be replaced by the more subtle ones worn every day. It seems unlikely that Claudios ability to note correctly will improve but, in Beatrice and Benedick, Shakespeare gives the audience encouragement that self-knowledge and reality will grow in Messina. The importance given to this couples superior perception clearly demonstrates that noting is central to this play. The plot relies on it for momentum and humour, and Shakespeare uses it to attack the illusions surrounding patriarchal society..
