Lies and Deceit
             Can you recall, at one time or another, being approached by a good friend or possibly an acquaintance with these opening lines, "Let me tell you what I heard." William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, is a play primarily about gossip. The characters are constantly overhearing or spying on other people. Occasionally they learn the truth, but more often they misunderstand what they see or hear, or they are tricked into believing what other people want them to believe. In order to unveil the full essence of the play, Shakespeare utilizes deception, disguises, and appearance.
             Shakespeare utilizes "deception" in the two "gulling scenes" of the play. Leonato, Claudio, and Don Pedro work together to try to convince Benedick that Beatrice is in love with him. Benedick, in this case, is caught in the position of being the one deceived. Benedick believes that he is eavesdropping upon his friends, but they really know that he is there and are deliberately speaking so that he will hear them. As a result of their plot, Benedick decides that there is no shame in changing his mind about marriage and it is not so difficult for him to find it in his heart to love Beatrice after all. In addition, Hero and Ursula deceive Beatrice into believing that Benedict is in love with her in the same way that Benedict is deceived. The two hold a conversation in the garden – speaking in loud voices – as Beatrice listens, supposedly in secret. After Hero and Ursula leave the
             garden (winking at one another, because they know they have caught Beatrice), Beatrice emerges from her hiding place among the trees. Just as Benedick is earlier, she is shocked at what she has heard. But, also like Benedick, Beatrice swiftly realizes that it would not be so difficult to "tame her wild heart to Benedick's loving hand." (1:112)
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