Post by Imorta Thaw on Dec 16, 2008 21:32:42 GMT -8
We’re all the same inside
As humans, we are condemned to be human, to have our faults and selfishnesses. In the comic play Much Ado About Nothing, William Shakespeare tells of two couples and their journey to love. But in the process, he also makes a strong statement about human nature. The character Leonato changes from a wise host to a rash avenger consumed in his quest for honor to show Shakespeare’s belief that humans are inherently selfish and consumed with the opinion of others.
In the beginning, Leonato is portrayed as an open-minded host, welcoming a group of war heroes and teaching his daughter, to make his fall from glory all that much longer. Shakespeare uses the first part of the play to establish Leonato’s role as the father figure. In the first scene, Leonato eagerly greets his guests, “Never came trouble to my house in the/ likeness of your Grace, for trouble being gone,/ comfort should remain, but when you depart from/ me, sorrow abides and happiness takes his leave.” (Act 1. Sc. 1 line 97-100) With these words Leonato eloquently expresses his joy of the war hero’s company. By saying that there will be no joy when they leave, Leonato is effectively welcoming them into his house for an unstated period of time. However, Shakespeare doesn’t stop at portraying Leonato as a welcoming host, he also shows him as a wise man who knows the meaning of emotions. When a messenger makes light of a man’s tears, Leonato says, “A kind overflow of kindness. There are no/ faces truer than those that are so washed. How/much better is it to weep at joy than to joy at weeping!” (1.1.26) He says that it is much better to cry from happiness than to cry continuously, almost to the point enjoying the act of crying itself. These two examples show how Shakespeare characterizes Leonato as a wise and caring man, seemingly one that can do no serious wrong.
By the end of the book however, Leonato is concerned only with his honor and reputation to show Shakespeare’s belief that no matter how wise and caring one may seem on the outside, even a small crisis will show that people care only for themselves. After his daughter is accused of losing her virginity before marriage, he falls into a blind rage and wants her dead, and even challenges Claudio to a duel in an attempt to clear his own name. Leonato is so consumed by his rage, that he threatens to kill his own daughter at her wedding on the word of her would be husband; “Do not live, Hero, do not ope thine eyes,/ For, did I think thou wouldst not quickly die,/ Thought I thy spirits were stronger than they shames/ Myself would, on the rearward of reproaches,/ Strike at thy life.” (4.1.131) He tells his daughter, who had just feinted, not to wake up, for if she did, he would take it upon himself to end her shame and take her life. Later, still trying to salvage his honor, Leonato tries to challenge Claudio to a duel. Still furious, he accuses Claudio of being a villain, “I’ll prove it on [Claudio’s] body if he dare,/ Despite his nice fence and his active practice, His May of youth and bloom of lustihood.” (5.1.84) through the senseless practice of fencing, Leonato plans to take back his honor from a swordfighter far more skilled than he and with the advantage of youth. As Leonato falls into self pity and selfishness, Shakespeare portrays him as more and more fool hardy and blind.
The character Leonato serves to reveal the downfalls of self absorption and rage. Wile filled with hate, Leonato not only nearly enters a suicidal duel with an opponent he has no hope of beating, but also threatens the life of his own daughter. As the play progresses, Shakespeare shows Leonato to be more and more ugly in his rage and quest for a good reputation.
As humans, we are condemned to be human, to have our faults and selfishnesses. In the comic play Much Ado About Nothing, William Shakespeare tells of two couples and their journey to love. But in the process, he also makes a strong statement about human nature. The character Leonato changes from a wise host to a rash avenger consumed in his quest for honor to show Shakespeare’s belief that humans are inherently selfish and consumed with the opinion of others.
In the beginning, Leonato is portrayed as an open-minded host, welcoming a group of war heroes and teaching his daughter, to make his fall from glory all that much longer. Shakespeare uses the first part of the play to establish Leonato’s role as the father figure. In the first scene, Leonato eagerly greets his guests, “Never came trouble to my house in the/ likeness of your Grace, for trouble being gone,/ comfort should remain, but when you depart from/ me, sorrow abides and happiness takes his leave.” (Act 1. Sc. 1 line 97-100) With these words Leonato eloquently expresses his joy of the war hero’s company. By saying that there will be no joy when they leave, Leonato is effectively welcoming them into his house for an unstated period of time. However, Shakespeare doesn’t stop at portraying Leonato as a welcoming host, he also shows him as a wise man who knows the meaning of emotions. When a messenger makes light of a man’s tears, Leonato says, “A kind overflow of kindness. There are no/ faces truer than those that are so washed. How/much better is it to weep at joy than to joy at weeping!” (1.1.26) He says that it is much better to cry from happiness than to cry continuously, almost to the point enjoying the act of crying itself. These two examples show how Shakespeare characterizes Leonato as a wise and caring man, seemingly one that can do no serious wrong.
By the end of the book however, Leonato is concerned only with his honor and reputation to show Shakespeare’s belief that no matter how wise and caring one may seem on the outside, even a small crisis will show that people care only for themselves. After his daughter is accused of losing her virginity before marriage, he falls into a blind rage and wants her dead, and even challenges Claudio to a duel in an attempt to clear his own name. Leonato is so consumed by his rage, that he threatens to kill his own daughter at her wedding on the word of her would be husband; “Do not live, Hero, do not ope thine eyes,/ For, did I think thou wouldst not quickly die,/ Thought I thy spirits were stronger than they shames/ Myself would, on the rearward of reproaches,/ Strike at thy life.” (4.1.131) He tells his daughter, who had just feinted, not to wake up, for if she did, he would take it upon himself to end her shame and take her life. Later, still trying to salvage his honor, Leonato tries to challenge Claudio to a duel. Still furious, he accuses Claudio of being a villain, “I’ll prove it on [Claudio’s] body if he dare,/ Despite his nice fence and his active practice, His May of youth and bloom of lustihood.” (5.1.84) through the senseless practice of fencing, Leonato plans to take back his honor from a swordfighter far more skilled than he and with the advantage of youth. As Leonato falls into self pity and selfishness, Shakespeare portrays him as more and more fool hardy and blind.
The character Leonato serves to reveal the downfalls of self absorption and rage. Wile filled with hate, Leonato not only nearly enters a suicidal duel with an opponent he has no hope of beating, but also threatens the life of his own daughter. As the play progresses, Shakespeare shows Leonato to be more and more ugly in his rage and quest for a good reputation.