Tragic Hero in Much Ado About Nothing

Introduction

Much Ado about Nothing is written by the most influential literature writer, William Shakespeare, and is considered one of Shakespeare’s best comedies. Even though this play is classified as a comedic play, some readers also view it as a tragic play. This suggests that, although no one dies in the story, we cannot fully exclude it from the tragic genre, as it contains elements of tragedy, such as pathos. In my opinion, Hero’s pitifulness serves as a tragedy in disguise, and she should be considered the tragic hero in this play.

Tragic Hero in Much Ado About Nothing

According to the Cambridge Dictionary, the words “tragedy” and “disguise” are defined as "a very sad event or situation” and “to give a new appearance to a person or thing," respectively. Therefore, a “tragedy in disguise” could be interpreted as a sad situation that is hidden or presented in another genre of play. Despite being a comedic play, some readers argue that Much Ado about Nothing is tragic because it contains elements that evoke pity or fear, developed by the characters. One such element is the scene in which Claudio humiliates Hero at their wedding ceremony. This scene evokes feelings of pity among the audience for Hero, an innocent woman who suffers humiliation at Claudio’s hands despite her innocence.

Furthermore, when Hero's father blames her after the ceremony, it reflects the societal norms of the time, which dictated that women should remain virgins until marriage. This scene also highlights the inequality between men and women, as demonstrated by Leonato's immediate belief in Claudio's accusations without proof, instead of defending his daughter. In my opinion, this underscores the fact that men held more power than women during that era. Women had limited access to education and employment opportunities, and their value was often reduced to their virginity, which was seen as a reflection of the family's honor.

Moreover, the scene where Don John deceives Claudio into believing that the shadow of Borachio having sex with Margaret is Hero with another man underscores these societal values. Claudio's reaction, assuming Hero is worthless due to the loss of her virginity, is indicative of the time's traditions. Conversely, if Hero had witnessed Claudio with another woman, the outcome would likely have been different, as men could have multiple partners. This highlights the gender inequality and societal structure of that period.

Additionally, Hero should be regarded as the tragic hero of this play, as she is central to the tragic elements, such as the wedding ceremony scene. She experiences a downfall, and her family orchestrates her fake death to let the shame die with her. This scene is powerful and evokes more pity and fear than the scene where Claudio learns of Hero's supposed death. I felt no emotional impact from Claudio's reaction, which further emphasizes Hero's role as the tragic hero.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a tragedy in disguise refers to a sad situation hidden within another genre, as seen in this play. Although Much Ado about Nothing is a comedic play, it contains tragic elements that evoke feelings of pity and fear among the audience. Furthermore, these tragic elements reflect the traditions, values, and social status of the time, highlighting the inequality between genders. This essay has attempted to shed light on these aspects, providing a deeper understanding of the play's underlying themes.

References

Cambridge Dictionary. (n.d.). Tragedy. In Cambridge Dictionary. Retrieved from https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/tragedy

Cambridge Dictionary. (n.d.). Disguise. In Cambridge Dictionary. Retrieved from https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/disguise

Shakespeare, W. (n.d.). Much Ado about Nothing. Retrieved from a reputable source or edition of the play.