Claudio In William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing

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William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing involves young couples falling in love and getting married. Claudio, a young soldier fighting under Don Pedro, falls in love with Hero, the beautiful young daughter of Leonato and the cousin of Beatrice. Claudio reveals himself as credulous and imprudent by easily being tricked.
Although commended for his bravery in battle, Claudio is presented as young and naive. He is a difficult character to understand because he is led purely by his refined sense of honor. Throughout the play he swings from love to despair to revenge too easily. In the first scene, he falls hopelessly in love with Hero; without even speaking to her. He claims that “[he] would scarce trust [himself], though [he] had sworn the …show more content…
Claudio prefers “Not to be married, Not to knit [his] soul to an approved wonton.” (IV, I, 44-45) At first Claudio worships Hero and desires to spend the rest of his life with her after they are married. He now believes her to be a slut and views her in a completely opposite way.
Claudio is easily manipulated. His suspicious nature makes him quick to believe evil rumors and hasty to despair and take revenge. When Don John confronts Claudio bringing him news that Hero, is unfaithful he decides, “tomorrow in the congregation, where [he] should wed, there will [he] shame her. (III, III, 117-118) Without discussing this with Hero and trying to understand what is going on, he moves ahead and assumes what he has been told is the truth, where he changes his feelings for Hero in the blink of an eye. By this he gains his revenge at the wedding by shaming hero at their wedding in front of everyone. Claudio declares to Hero “…you are more intemperate in your blood Than Venus, or those pampered animals That rage in savage sensuality.” (IV, I, 60-63) Claudio feels that externally Hero appears innocent, but on the inside her heart is not pure. Because of Don John, Claudio now suspects all things that are beautiful are faithless. He thinks she has ruined his love and broken his heart. Claudio is deceived into believing Hero is
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