The sixteenth and nineteenth centuries produced two very impactful writers. The legendary William Shakespeare, a sixteenth century dramatist, actor, and poet is known as the greatest playwright in the English language. Similarly accomplished, August Strindberg, a prolific nineteenth century journalist, writer, poet, and dramatist, famous for his Naturalistic style, is considered the master of early modern century drama. He is also considered the greatest Swedish writer of all time by many. Both men wrote many plays, two are of particular interest because of the importance of the interpersonal relationships between the main characters. In both plays the deception occurring within the plot is the driving force for the action of the characters. Shakespeare’s Much Ado about Nothing, and Strindberg’s Miss Julie, while different in terms of genre (comedy vs. tragedy) are similar in the importance deception plays in each. In these respective works the authors use deception as a tool to illuminate the male – female relationships of the key characters. Deception is responsible for revealing the nature of each relationship to…show more content… Having never met before no real connection has been established between the two lovers, making it superficial. Claudio’s interest in Hero is based on two factors, her beauty, and the wealth and status he will inherit through their union. Correspondingly, deception ultimately affirms the lack of faith Claudio has in their relationship. On two separate occasions Claudio is deceived by the treachery of Don John. Through this deception Claudio’s lack of confidence and trust is exposed. In the first instance Claudio is led to believe that Don Pedro has wooed Hero not for Claudio but for himself. His lack of trust and confidence is evident when Don John makes the
