In What Way Is the Gap Between Appearance and Reality Explored in "Much Ado About Nothing"

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5 ENGLISH: ESSAY ON "MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING"
 SUBJECT: In what way is the gap between appearance and reality explored in "MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING" The fact that every character in "Much Ado About Nothing", no matter how important, is involved in some form of dupery, deception or misinterpretation clearly shows William Shakespeare's exploration into the depth of appearance and reality. Much Ado About Nothing explores this gap of appearance and reality through the flaws of the twisted society of Messina, subject of perception, obscure truth as well as the humorous and destructive nature of such misunderstandings. What is disturbing about Messina's society is that the appearance of the spoken word has far greater value than what is in fact reality. The men who are at the top of this social hierarchy are those who base their lives around the virtues of honor, valor and nobility, or at least are supposed to be. Right from the start of the play Claudio is described to have the 'figure of a lamb and the feats of a lion', yet the story reveals that he is the most inconstant man of all. Noble figures such as Don Pedro and Leonato are too easily deceived, and justice in the city is upheld by Dogberry, the most intellectually challenged character in the play who ironically unravels Don John 's plot. This whole idea of appearance being more important than reality can be seen most prominently in Act Two Scene One, where all the characters are having a masked ball. This microcosm of the play is a metaphor for just how everyone has a facade when together, without revealing their true self. By creating a flawed society in which appearance is valued over reality, Shakespeare not only shows how

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