Deception

• Deception


  Falling for other people's lies
• Don Pedro's plan


  1. Assume Claudio's part in some disguise

  2. Tell fair Hero that Claudio is Claudio
• Mistaken identity at the masked ball


  Causes confusion and upset
• Don John's lie to Claudio


  Don Pedro actually loves Hero and wants her for himself
• Claudio


  • Being so easily manipulated into suspicion leaves him wide open to being deceived
• Friends and family's plan

  Deceive Benedick and Beatrice into thinking they each have feelings for the other
• Appearance and reality


  Not always the same thing in the play
• Eavesdropping


  A dominant plot device, as almost everything happens because an eavesdropper heard about it
• Borachio's boasts overheard by the watchmen


  Leads to the plot being revealed
• Don John's scheme


  Deceive Claudio and Don Pedro into believing that Hero has been unfaithful
• Deception in the play

  Right until the end, as Leonato's "niece" is actually Hero in disguise
• Play's title


  Suggests a lot of fuss about empty rumours and deception
• Don John's claim


  He cannot hide his hatred of Don Pedro or that he is a villain
• Friar


  • Trusts what he knows about Hero and what he can see with his eyes, which do not deceive him
• Friar calls into question the judgement of Hero's accusers
• Deception, disguise and mistaken identity are common themes in many of Shakespeare's plays
• Plot devices of dramatic irony and eavesdropping are also common in Shakespeare's plays
• These devices allow for comic elements arising from situations, as well as giving the villain of the play ample opportunity to make mischief