NOTE: Free essay sample provided on this page should be used for references or sample purposes only. The sample essay is available to anyone, so any direct quoting without mentioning the source will be considered plagiarism by schools, colleges and universities that use plagiarism detection software. To get a completely brand-new, plagiarism-free essay, please use our essay writing service.
One click instant price quote
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 society?
s 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, Beatrice? s and Benedick? s 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 Hero? s 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 Beatrice?
s and Benedick? s most hilarious lines and Dogberry? s continued misunderstandings and malapropisms help soften the tone of the play as they follow the more sinister sections. Dogberry? s insistence on others noting that Conrade called him an ass is especially funny: ?
Oh that I had been writ down an ass? (4. 2. 70 - 71). The audience enjoys the irony that Dogberry has been? writ down an ass? ? by Shakespeare himself. The Watch?
s inability to reveal what they have correctly noted, however, also adds to the tension of the play. Hero? s 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 Claudio? s 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 Hero? s base nature (? savage sensuality? 4. 1. 135)? also point to self-deception about love, honour and women.
Claudio? s 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 Hero? s 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 John? s 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. 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 Hero? s 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 Leonato? s adherence to the male codes of honour and virtue cloud his perception. He, too, suffers from Claudio? s 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 Hero? s innocence and suspect Don Jon? s involvement because he exists on the periphery of society. This can also be said for Beatrice (she is an orphan and does not have Hero?
s parental pressure). 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 Claudio? s 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 couple?
s 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. 368
Free research essays on topics related to: beatrice and benedick, patriarchal society, don pedro, appearance and reality, hero
Research essay sample on Beatrice And Benedick Appearance And Reality
