4.2.1

Summary

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Act 2, Scene 2

The theme of deception continues as Don John and Borachio plot to undo Claudio’s proposed marriage to Hero.

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Control of women

  • Borachio boasts that he can “at any appointed hour” make Margaret appear at Hero’s window.
  • This highlights the way women are objectified and controlled in the play.
  • The exception to this is Beatrice.
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Noting

  • The villains’ plan is based on appearances and the idea that Claudio will think he is seeing Hero with Borachio, when in fact it is Margaret.
  • Again, this demonstrates the recurring motif of noting.
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Deceptions escalating

  • Shakespeare presents the idea of deceptions quickly escalating out of control with Borachio's suggestion that this plan will enable Don John to “misuse the prince, to vex Claudio, to undo Hero, and kill Leonato.”
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The verbs

  • The verbs here increase in severity, yet it is the innocent Hero and Leonato who suffer, rather than Don Pedro and Claudio, who the audience know from Act 1 played a key role in Don John’s defeat.

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