How Does Shakespeare Use Character Foils In Much Ado About Nothing

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William Shakespeare wrote a total of thirty-seven plays in his lifetime, including Much Ado About Nothing. In this play rumors are spread by Don John, Don Pedro's Illegitimate brother. He spread a rumor about Hero, Don Pedro's best friend, Claudio's soon to be wife. Claudio chose to listen to the rumor, and Slandered her because he thought she was disloyal, but son regretted it. In Much Ado About Nothing, William Shakespeare uses character foils to illuminate how a false rumor could ruin the happiness of others. Primarily, Don Pedro consists of caring and altruistic traits. Throughout the play Don Pedro cares for his friends, and makes sure they are always happy. Soon after Don Pedro learns Claudio is in love with Hero he says, …show more content…
His evil and impetuous traits made him want to destroy everyone else’s happiness, because he felt he didn’t have any. On the night before the wedding Don John said,”Go but with me tonight, you shall see her chamber window entered, even the night before her wedding day… But it would better fit your honour to change your mind”(Shakespeare 49). Don John was lying about Hero being unfaithful, pretending somebody was just in her bedroom. He is being Conniving while trying to spoil Claudio's happiness, the day before he gets married to his dream girl, all because of a brother rivalry. In conclusion, William shakespeare created character foils in his plays so they could bring out certain characteristics in the pair. Throughout the play Don John highlights the kind, caring traits in Don Pedro, while Don Pedro highlights the evil traits in Don John. These characters illuminate how a false rumor can ruin the amount of happiness other people have. Without this character foil Then you wouldn't have anyone to compare how caring Don Pedro is, or to see how conniving Don John