Much Ado About Nothing

1. Much Ado About Nothing Rhetorical Devices – How to Analyse

2. Therefore, all hearts in love use their own tongues;Let every eye negotiate for itselfAnd trust no agent; for beauty is a witchAgainst whose charms faith melteth into blood. (Act II, Scene i) Step 1: Identify the device • This is an example of a metaphor.

3. Therefore, all hearts in love use their own tongues;Let every eye negotiate for itselfAnd trust no agent; for beauty is a witchAgainst whose charms faith melteth into blood. (Act II, Scene i) Step 2: Define the device • A metaphor is an expression that implies a comparison between two things.

4. Therefore, all hearts in love use their own tongues;Let every eye negotiate for itselfAnd trust no agent; for beauty is a witchAgainst whose charms faith melteth into blood. (Act II, Scene i) Step 3: Make a connection between the quotation and the device • Here, beauty is compared to witches whose use charms to hurt their victims.

5. Therefore, all hearts in love use their own tongues;Let every eye negotiate for itselfAnd trust no agent; for beauty is a witchAgainst whose charms faith melteth into blood. (Act II, Scene i) Step 4: Explain the significance of the device • Claudio has learned from Don John (who wants to provoke Claudio) that Don Pedro has wooed Hero for himself.  This is completely false, but it sets Claudio on a mental rampage against women, friends and love.  For the first time in his life, Claudio has felt the sting of spurned love and a traitorous friend. Claudio here is seen as someone who is gullible, who believes everything he hears, thus making him the perfect target for Don John’s later plans. Claudio here is also seen as someone who has little trust and faith in those around him which explains why he is so ready to believe Don John’s lies. Despite the fact that he is friends with Don Pedro, (so he should know that Don Pedro would never betray him), he believes what he is told. This is also important to the plot because Don John’s initial plan to destroy the others fails and he is forced to come up with another scheme, thus continuing the plot. Finally, one of the themes of the play is also developed. Here Claudio regrets asking Don Pedro to help him woo Hero. He believes that when is comes to love, you can’t trust anyone.

6. What, my dear Lady Disdain! Are you yet living? (Act I, Scene i) This is an example of a metaphor. A metaphor is an expression that implies a comparison between two things. Here Benedick calls Beatrice "Lady Disdain", thus implying a comparison/connection between her as a scornful, stubborn woman. Here Beatrice is said to be stubborn and rude in her speech. By referring to Beatrice as "Lady Disdain", Benedick also automatically identifies her as the typical Shakespearean spinster who will be lovestruck by the end of the play.  This makes the ending all the more comical and ironic when the two finally do get together at the end. He also clarifies to the audience that a war of wits rages between the two which is the foundation of their relationship. Both characters are unwilling to admit they love each other out of fear. Both believe that marriage will only lead to hurt and destruction. Here, Shakespeare clearly makes use of character development and also comments on a main theme of the play that love is not always easy.

7. Sweet prince, you learn me noble thankfulness.There, Leonato, take her back again:Give not this rotten orange to your friend;She's but the sign and semblance of her honour. (Act IV, scene i) This is an example of a metaphor. A metaphor is when you imply a comparison between two things. Here, Claudio describes Hero and compares her to a rotten orange. By referring to Hero as a piece of rotten fruit, Claudio implies that what was once sweet and pure is now spoiled and disagreeable.  Just as Eve was tempted in Eden by fruit that turned out to be evil, Claudio was first attracted and then repulsed by the "impure" Hero. He disgraces her in public and describes as something disgusting and unholy. Claudio no longer believes that Hero is pure, good and innocent. This is important to the development of the pot of the play. Here Don John has convinced Claudio and Don Pedro that they have caught Hero in an unholy act. This shows how gullible Claudio is and that he does not confront his problems head on. He does not talk to Hero but waits until he can embarrass her in public. He considers his honour of utmost importance and he believes she has disgraced him. Here, Claudio is portrayed as someone who is vindictive and merciless when he feels that he has been wronged. This also shows the lack of trust between the couple as he does not believe Hero when she denies his accusations.

8. Why, he is the prince’s jester, a very dull fool. Only his gift is in devising impossible slanders. (Act II, scene i)) This is an example of a metaphor. A metaphor is when you imply a comparison between two things. In this metaphor Beatrice unwittingly complains about Benedick to the man himself as she compares Benedick to the Prince’s jester.  Her comparison of Benedick to a fool exemplifies her love of single life.  Thus, much of the comedy of the play revolves about a transformation of her character into a hopeless romantic. This also sets up the audience’s feeling of joy as they finally to get together in the end.

9. But now I am return’d and that war-thoughts / Have left their places vacant, in their rooms / Come thronging soft and delicate desires, / All prompting me how fair young Hero is… (Act I, scene i) In this metaphor Claudio compares his mind to a large, vacant house.  A metaphor is when you imply a comparison between two things.Previously, those rooms (his brain) were occupied with thoughts of war and glory.  Now that the war is over, however, Claudio’s mind is reeling with love for Hero.This helps to establish Claudio as someone who is very susceptible to trickery. He does not think very critically or of the future. He deals with things as they come. He is also described as very practical person, and yet someone very driven by his emotions.