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 most affected by it?
In Shakespeare's Novel, Much Ado About Nothing', Shakespeare emphasises or highlights the theme of betrayal and makes it one of his focus points in the book.
The constant stream of betrayal affects the plot in many ways, but one would agree or advocate that it adds some aspect of drama or interest to the play. It also plays its part by helping in the developing of conflict, which jumpsatrts or gives way to the climax or the most 'heated' part of the play.
As mentioned earlier, betrayal helps in the development of conflict throughout the play, and thus, gives the reader a chance to understand how each character feels toward or about another. Due to this, the conflict between each character is understood and complications between the reader and the book becomes non-existant.
The main conflict in the book was between Don John and his brother Don Pedro, who in the book is titled 'the Prince of Aaragon'. Don John's hatred for his brother, as well him being jealous of Don Pedro and Claudio's friendship is what pushed him to act in the manner that he did, hence he developed a feeling of hate which gave way to his acts of betrayal.
As a result of Don John's irresponsible and careless actions, the innocent suffered for the guilty, and Hero, who is Claudio's lover, was caught in a trap worst than she could ever imagine. Now although Don John had nothing against Hero, he saw her as the one thing that would cause his brother to fall to the ground in shame and ruin the friendship between Claudio and himself. Long story short, Hero ended up being framed for framed for something which in those times was potrayed as extremely bad, dishonorable, and shameful; she was accused of being unchaste which means that she was no longer pure. This brought a whole lot of humiliation to Hero since she was wrongly accused and confonted on her wedding day along with disgrace to her father.
This entire scene gives the reader an idea of some of the complications that can occur through betrayal behavoirs or acts, and the consequences at the end of it all if the person's actions are taken out of proportion.'Look at Don John's experience'!.
