How Much Ado About Nothing uses the comic genre to allow Shakespeare to expose and criticise Human Flaws

When Benedict states that happy atomic number 18 they that hear their distractions and end regorge them to workforceding, he is stating that parts ar cap satisfactory-bodied to recognise flaws within their avouch character and, much importantly, are able to fix them. One conventional aspect of Elizabethan society, that is very more than discernable within such(prenominal) Ado About nonhing, is associately inequality. In Shakespeares good turn, women are portrayed as being low-powered in their own lives and in everything around them. In Elizabethan society, men were dominant over women and do all the important decisions.In Much Ado About Nothing, the men frequently play insalubrious decisions, and is a recurring theme passim the play. Al honey oilgh Shakespeare was a product of his time, and evaluate kind norms and values, he demonstrated an understanding of womens subjection by men in his work. The odd genre allows Shakespeare to push the boundaries when cha llenging loving conventions. For example, Shakespeare is able to portray Beatrice as a feisty, sharp, intelligent wo bit. The listening are naturally, more open-minded because they realise that the play is a clowning and theyre approximate to find it funny.As a consequence, this gives Shakespeare more freedom to create comedy within the play. In Shakespeares Much Ado About Nothing, Claudio is flaw character, although not appearing so initially he is shown as a distinguished soldier under the command of move into Pedro, Prince of Arragon. In the starting line act, Claudio is introduced to the audience via a discussion between Leonato and a messenger in the presence of Leonatos daughter, title-holder, and his niece Beatrice, whereby the audience hear of Claudios heroism and admirableness during the fight and that bear Pedro regards him highly and has, bestowed much honor upon him.The messenger overly suggests that Claudio has done tremendously well, as He hath borne himself beyond the promise of his old age, suggesting Claudio is a mature character. The absence of Claudio from this scene means that the audience taste him based on what they energize heard about him, as a consequence their first natural depression of Claudio is very positive. However, throughout the play the audience are introduced to his flaws of immatureness, haste and dress which all contradict with their first impression of him. Although the audiences introduction to Claudio suggests maturity, this is proven to be false throughout the play.In a discussion between Claudio and Benedick, Claudio recognises that falling in beloved too quickly is a mark of immaturity, concerned that liking efficiency too sudden turn overm. However, after one silent get-together of characters, Claudio finds himself in love with Hero and immediately talks longing that, Hero would be my wife. Therefore, Claudio seems to do the exact opposite to the statement in the oppugn and adopts a distraction tha t he has already heard, acting in a contradictory manner and emphasises his immaturity.As well as this, Claudio is gullible, and allows he to be deceived by come in john into believing that Don Pedro has wooed Hero for himself, my brother is amorous on Hero, and hath withdrawn her father to break with him about it. by means of Shakespeares use of dramatic irony, the audience note frustrated with Claudio, as he instantly relys this false allegation without inquiry, Tis certain so, the prince woos for himself. Furthermore, Claudio lacks the courage to introduce Don Pedro about the allegation, hence choosing to blindly cogitate Don tin can over Don Pedro and Benedick, without seeking the truth, Ho now you strike analogous the blind man. The audience feel frustrated because they endure that Don Pedro is innocent, so far they cant pass this information onto Claudio and are forced to watch the consequences unfold. Additionally, the audience feel frustrated with Claudio becaus e it doesnt seem likely that Don Pedro would betray Claudio payable to the fact they pose fought alongside each other at war and share a good relationship. However, the audience can sympathise with Claudio because his satisfy with Don basin at the masked ball was a frame-up in order to trick him.Due to the theme of the ball, whereby everyone had to wear masks and screen their identity, Claudio thought that by pretending to be Benedick, he could deceive Don washbowl and Borachio. By way of contrast, the opposite happens as Claudio believes that Don John thinks he is speaking with Benedick, ar not you Signor Benedick, You know me well, I am he. As a consequence, Don John finds it much easier to deceive Claudio. When Don Pedro asks Claudio, wherefore are you sad, Claudio advisedly replies with very brief, indirect responses that forces Don Pedro to investigate into the matter further.I believe by doing this, Claudio fulfils his need for attention, which in itself is a sign of i mmaturity. For example, Claudio replies with Not sad, my nobleman, stopping to allow Don Pedro to continue asking questions. As expected, Don Pedro replies, How then? Sick? In which Claudio replies Neither, my lord, again, allowing room for Don Pedro to investigate. However, Beatrice who allows the colloquy to carry on, interrupts this process, The count is neither sad, nor sick, nor merry, nor well but civil. by and by Claudio realises that Don John has deceived him at the masked ball, the audience expect Claudio to put his flaw to mending. However, Claudio fails to do this and allows himself to be deceived by Don John once again. The night before the wedding, Don John deceives both Don Pedro and Claudio into believing that Hero is disloyal and has slept with another man. Don Pedro questions the allegation at first I will not think it whereas Claudio is quick to believe it to an extent May this be so? The fact Don Pedro is able to question the allegation shines a negative light upon Claudio who should not question Heros dishonesty. The audience feel frustrated with Claudio through Shakespeares use of dramatic irony, allowing the audience to know the truth that Hero is innocent, specially when Claudio rushes to plan his revenge, whereby he will wed, there will I mortify her. Women in Elizabethan times were objectified and became possessions of their husbands. They would not have attended develop and their education would have been purely of domestic nature in expression for marriage.As men were seen as the superior figure that provided for him and his family, their experience and arrogance meant the world to them. Therefore, to be a cuckold (a man married to an traitorous wife) associated much shame and brought down the males social standing. husking this in mind, a contemporary audience would be more sympathetic with Claudios rash decision as they would share a break down(p) understanding of Claudios fear of shame. On the other hand, a youthful audience would not be as sympathetic because social norms and values, curiously gender inequality, has changed.However, the audience cannot entirely blame Claudio because he believes that he actually witnessed the supposed affair. On the other hand, the audience blame him for not confronting Hero, adept like he failed to confront Don Pedro after the masked ball. Evidently, Claudio has not recognised his flaw of being deceptable to lies and flunk to confront them, therefore failing to fix it. Through dramatic irony, the audience know that Hero is altogether innocent. In addition to this, they also know that Claudio intends to publically humiliate her at the wedding.The audience sympathise with Hero, especially when they see how excited she is before the wedding, idol give me joy to wear it for my heart is exceeding heavy. On the mean solar day of the wedding ceremony, Leonato shows that he shares the tendency to rush into conclusions like Claudio. When Claudio publicly shame s Hero, Not to be married, not to knit my soul to an approved wanton. Leonato at first defends Heros honor, Dear my lord, if you in your own validation made defeat of her virginity. Its only when Don Pedro supports the claim made by Claudio that his daughter has slept with another man that Leonato suddenly believes the claims made and turns against his own daughter. Leonato even goes as far as saying that he dec having a daughter, and Death is the fairest cover for her shame. Leonato understands that no other man will marry Hero because they will become a cuckold, delivery shame to himself therefore Hero has nobody to support her, as she is uneffective to support herself due to the conventional norms of the Elizabethan period.The audience are ball over by Leonatos reaction because through dramatic irony, they know Hero is innocent. However, the audience also know that by comparing the ending of a comedy to a tragedy, that no serious consequences will be inflicted upon her. It is not until Friar Francis is introduced that Leonato seems like a failed father, because Friar Francis doubts Heros disloyalty and so offers a chance of redemption, with a practical plan to prove her honesty.Leonato is ineffectual to believe his own daughter over the Prince and Claudio whereas a stranger can, emphasising his chastening as a father. It is also arguable that Leonatos pride cloud-covered his judgement when choosing to believe his daughters innocence and is the reason wherefore he was quick to believe the allegation when Don Pedro supported it, suggesting that maturity is the trait most lacking in all of the plays characters their susceptibility to pride and deception, and their inability to think before drawing their conclusions, are more about immaturity than any other quality.However, towards the end of the play Leonato loses interest in pride, replacing it with the determination to be a better father. Leonato confronts Don Pedro and Claudio with resentment, whilst trying to remain courteous, over publicly shaming his daughter whilst she was innocent. In confrontation, Leonato addresses Claudio as immature, stating that If thou despatchst me, male child, thou shalt kill a man. Leonato reminds Claudio that thou hast killd my child, and expresses that if he kills Leonato, he will at least kill a man and not an innocent child.Similarly, Leonato isnt the only character in the play to call Claudio a boy, for example Antonio calls Claudio a boy a few times when he demands Claudio to come, follow me, boy come, sir boy, come, follow me. As well as this, Benedick later on says to Claudio, Fare you well, boy I will leave you now to your gossip-like humour. This turn out suggests that many other characters, as well as the audience see Claudio as an immature character. Although Leonato must talk with respect to the Prince, he speaks with sarcasm, Are you so hasty now? well, all is one. Therefore, its evident that Leonato has learned his lesson that h is pride and loyalty to the Prince can turn him against his own family and that he shouldnt let anyone influence his own judgment. Additionally, the view of susceptibility to pride and deception is strengthened from the point of view of a modern audience, because to criticize the characters on the grounds of being susceptible to pride is contradictory to the social norms of the Elizabethan period.For example, an Elizabethan mans good name was of immense worth to him and any action that tarnished it, would affect his social standing. However, Shakespeare highlights that susceptibility to pride and deception and the inability to think before drawing conclusions are study flaws found within the play and within Shakespearean society. It is through the comic genre that Shakespeare is able to portray his message that all of us, to some extent, have our own character-flaw(s) and its those who can fix them that benefit like Leonato.Furthermore, as the audience watch Much Ado About Nothi ng and express emotion at the character-flaws found within it, it makes them realise that their own character flaws can just as easily, be made fun of, as funniness is intimidating and encourages complacency in those who laugh. Many people have a fear of being laughed at because it makes them feel inferior. This is known as superiority theory, whereby people laugh at something or someone to make themselves seem superior. Due to this fear of being laughed at, people are more encouraged to fix the things that are comical, such as their human flaws.