Literature Test

“Betrayal is a theme introduced at the very beginning of this play how does this constant stream of betrayal affect the outcome of the plot and which characters are affected most.”

Betrayal is defined as the breaking or violation of a presumptive contract, trust, or confidence. And due to the secrecy and plotting of both friend and foe in the book, betrayal is a regular occurrence throughout the pages of “Much Ado About Nothing” pages. There are a quite a few examples of betrayal throughout this book ranging from the miniscule and playful to the malicious and cruel. All of which nevertheless affect the outcome of the play.

For example, Don Pedro devised an idea to make Beatrice and Benedick fall in love. It seemed innocent enough but Don Pedro knew of Benedick’s wishes never to get married and completely ignored them and betrayed them by plotting for his betrothal. Another form of Betrayal is the fact that Borachio used poor lady Margaret as a puppet in Don John’s plan to slander the name of Lady Hero. Borachio violated her trust by using her as a pawn in a plan, while she merely thought that she was being “wooed”.

The major betrayal in the story is the plan that Don John has to get revenge of sorts on his brother. Don John hates his brother the Prince of Morocco, Don Pedro and thus plotted to ruin the wedding of his Claudio and Hero. Don John made a plan to slander the name of Hero and have Claudio disgrace her name in the front the entire town. Don John lied to his brother Don Pedro and Claudio and violated the trust that he had between his brother and him. He merely used this to his advantage and due to the betrayal of Don John the wedding between Claudio and Hero was cancelled and Hero was shamed in a most heinous manner which even caused her “death”. This was the climax of the book.

In conclusion, I must say that betrayal was an integral part of the novel and it was due to this major theme and others such as deception and love  that the book is such an interesting tragic-comedy, filled with twists and turns.