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Shakespeare-Much Ado About Nothing

Blog #4

Claudio's behavior Act 5.

In the first few chapters, Claudio seems like a gentleman.

He is a young man who falls deeply in love with Hero.

Sadly, as fast as he falls in love, he also quickly believes that

she had cheated on him the night before their wedding.

On the day that was supposed to be the happiest of their life,

turned out to be the worst. Claudio made a huge seen and embarrassed Hero in front of all family and friends accusing her

of cheating. Of course, this was all a mistake because they lied to Claudio but instead of believing his bride he believed the liars.

In Act 5, Leonato (Hero's father) is very upset about what has happened. However, instead of actually killing Hero they decide to hide her and pretend that she is dead. When Claudio and Don Pedro find out that Hero died, Don Pedro still maintains his belief that all the accusations were correct. Benedick challenges Claudio for causing the death of Hero. During all of this the Borachio confesses everything that really had happened, that it was after all a lie. When Claudio find's out the truth, all of a sudden he misses Hero dearly and begs Leonanto to forgive him.

(p.143 Act 5 Scene 1) Claudio" I know not how to pray your patience, Yet I must speak, choose your revenge yourself, Impose me to what penance your invention Can lay upon my sin, yet sinned I not, But in mistaking." Although he feels horrible about what has happened he still thinks he'd done nothing wrong because he was just mistaking. In my opinion you make a mistake when you put too much salt in the dinner, but letting someone die... that's no mistake. I think Claudio was very childish for what he has done because he should of gone up to Hero's room the night before their wedding when he thought he saw her with another man and confront her. If he would of done that he would of seen with his own eyes that it was not Hero but someone else pretending to be her. So no, I do not believe he should of gotten a second change, for anything he should of been punished.