Act 4 Scene 2

Dogberry confuses criminal charges by prioritising the wrong words and consequently misinterprets what they said. For instance when he makes sure they “write God first.” even though it wouldn’t make any sense.

The event reported for the first time is that they were paid by Don John for “accusing the Lady Hero” and that “Don John is a villain” they received a “thousand ducats” from Don John, Dogberry believes that this is burglary and slander against Don John and misses the real crime that has been committed.

Dogberry thinks that the worst crime they committed was calling Don John “a villain” which he thinks is slanderous. It is important to Dogberry that the evidence is written down because he was the recognition of catching these criminals, and the evidence will be proof that he caught them. Dogberry justifies himself against the slander by saying that he is so “pretty”.

Act 3 Scene 5

Dogberry wants to communicate to Leonato that he has caught some possible criminals, and that he has information concerning Hero. Although he doesn’t realise what he has actually uncovered, Dogberry is desperate to tell him as he wants approval and the glory of catching criminals.

The great honour that Leonato bestows on them is that they are “tedious”, which they take to be a compliment.

Act 3 Scene 2

According to Claudio and Don Pedro Benedick has shaven his beard and “he looks younger than he did by the loss of a beard” and this shoes how Benedick is trying to fit in to the ideal look of a pubescent boy, with at that time was viewed as being attractive. His clothes have also changed they describe him to be wearing “slops” and “no doublet”, they imply these are his best clothes and he looks like a fool. By the way they treat him you can see that he has changed from the bragging soldier to the person being mocked. He is the type person of person that Benedick at the beginning of the play would have mocked (much like he did with Claudio). He says that he has a “toothache” to avoid admitting that he is in love.

Don John’s choice of language makes the impact of his revelation more devastating because he appears to be courteous when he is talking to them, like he is trying to get on their good side.  He appears to be apologetic and deferential. Don John is almost trying too hard to get them to listen and he is making them seem more powerful even though it is his power and control of language that influences the conversation. He apologised for talking about Hero as he appears to believe that talking to her will bring shame, and by identifying this belief their very conversation is bringing more shame to her name, this creates the impression he is morally superior. He leaves them an out and doesn’t push too hard with his revelation by trying to convince them.

Misunderstandings and deceptions in Act 2 Scene 1

Masquerade: The whole party itself is set up for deception, as everyone attending is wearing a mask and no one is supposed to know who anyone is. While it is still possible to tell who people are the actual theme of deception is still there.

Don Pedro and Hero: Don Pedro pretending to be Claudio to woo Hero is one of the only positive deceptions, this deception comes about because Claudio doesn’t have the same ability to woo as Don Pedro does, he is better with words and this gives him more power.

Margret and Balthasar: Margret is the ‘kindly prostitute’ character, both are masked, Balthasar tries to flirt with her and she tries to dissuade him, telling him her faults.

Ursula and Antonio: Antonio uses his mask as an excuse to flirt with Ursula, his deception doesn’t work and she recognises him, but he still denies who he is.

Beatrice and Benedick: Benedick thinks he is fooling Beatrice with his mask and Beatrice recognises him, but pretends she doesn’t so she can play a joke on him. Beatrice makes fun of him, saying that he is just there for everyone else entertainment “the prince’s jester”. He only spends his time with “libertines” as they are the only women who will have him, and even with them he doesn’t know what he’s doing.

Don John and Claudio: Don John knows that it is Claudio under the mask but pretends he doesn’t so he can deceive Claudio, and Claudio goes along with being Benedick to try and hear some gossip. Don John tells Claudio he has been deceived by Don Pedro as he intends to woo Hero for himself, this misunderstanding means Claudio renounces his love for Hero.