Provide a character analysis of Don John from Act 3 of Much Ado About Nothing.

Don John appears in one scene in Act III -- scene ii.  It is important to note that, earlier in the play, Don John tells the audience that he plans to bring down his half brother Don Pedro's friend, Claudio.  Don John calls himself a "plain dealing villain" (I, iii, 30), and so he operates as the villain of this comedy, creating complications for the other characters to untangle.

It is also in Act I, scene iii that Don John gives his reason for villainy.  He nurses a vague sort of hatred towards Claudio, giving his rationale in lines 61-63:

. . .that young start-up [Claudio] hath all the glory of my overthrow.  If I can cross him any way, I bless myself every way.

These remarks about his jealousy over Claudio's promotion within the military is reminiscent of the jealousy harboured by Iago in Othello, which comes, at that play's conclusion, to a much more tragic resolution.

So, in Act III, scene ii of Much Ado, Don John is preparing both his half brother and Claudio to witness a charade he has devised to "prove" to Claudio that Hero (whom he intends to marry) is "disloyal."  He invites the two to stand beneath her window and witness her being unfaithful.  There isn't much to analyze here, as Don John is direct and pointed in his accusation, and Don Pedro and Claudio are more than willing to follow him.

I would say that, in this scene, Don John is bold and confident in his self-assurance.  He accuses Hero in no uncertain terms, saying:

The word [disloyal] is too good to paint out her wickedness.  I could say she were worse; think you of a worse title and I will fit her to it.

And Claudio and Don Pedro accept this without protest or question.  Don John has, ultimately, quite an easy job to lead the two gullible men to the set-up he has devised under Hero's window, and they fall for his ruse hook, line and sinker, as the audience is told by Borachio in the very next scene.

For more on Don John and Act III, scene ii, please follow the links below.

What is Don John's importance in Much Ado About Nothing?

Don John's importance in this comedy lies in the way that he is the source of many of the play's confusions that threaten to make this comedy into a tragedy. It is he who, even before the play has begun, has rebelled unsuccessfully against his brother, Don Pedro. His character as Don Pedro's bastard brother to Shakespeare's audience would have indicated that he was a n'er-do-well, as illegitimate children were associated with discord and mischief. Note what Don John says about himself in Act I scene 3:

...it must not be denied
but I am a plain-dealing villain.

Don John is therefore a self-confessed wicked character who, in spite of his brother's magnanimous nature and benificence is determined to do anything he can to attack and destroy the happiness of the rest of the characters. It is his determination to sow discord amongst the characters that results in Hero's reputation being sullied. This of course necessitates her "rebirth" in order for her to clear her name. Don John, through his evil plan, explicitly foregrounds one of the central themes of the play, which is the extremely fragile nature of a woman's reputation and how easily it can be tainted.

For any Shakespearian comedy, there is a thin dividing line that prevents it from falling into the category of a tragedy. Don John is the central character who works towards making this a tragic play, and his importance lies in the way that he attempts to turn a light-hearted romantic comedy into something much more sinister and alarming.

Analyze Don John's relationships and his pivotal role in Much Ado About Nothing.

Don John is the conniving and duplicitous villain of Shakespeare's comedy Much Ado About Nothing. He is Don Pedro's half-brother and a bastard, which, in the Shakespearean sense, means he was born illegitimately. Because of this familial connection, Don John's relationship with Don Pedro is his most complex and most important. As a bastard son, Don John is looked down on and isolated, while Don Pedro is viewed as a noble prince. It is Don John's desire to hurt Don Pedro that causes him to launch his scheme against Claudio and Hero, knowing that Claudio is Don Pedro's favorite. While Hero and Claudio are the two who are the most hurt by Don John's actions, his relationships with both of them are less developed and they are mainly collateral damage. He goes through them to get to his brother.

Don John has accomplices in the form of Conrade and Borachio. These characters could be described as Don John's henchmen and they help him to carry out his scheme.

Who is Don Pedro in Much Ado About Nothing?

Don Pedro is a character in Much Ado About Nothing, one of William Shakespeare's many popular plays. Pedro was a member of the Aragonian nobility, and he is often referred to as "Prince" in the play. Due to his position, he has great social and political influence. He is smart, generous, and loyal to his friends, but he is also sometimes quick to think the worst of others.

Additionally, Don Pedro often serves as the "voice or reason" in the play. While the other characters make "much ado about nothing," Pedro remains relatively calm and diffuses situations which others may have escalated. One example of this is his proposal to Beatrice. When she denies his proposal, he does not pout or hold a grudge. Instead, he decides to help her find a good husband: Benedick.

Discuss the character of Don John and his role in Much Ado About Nothing.

Don John is the half brother of the prince, Don Pedro.  He is the bastard brother since his parents, unlike Don Pedro's, weren't married.  He is angry and bitter and he is jealous because he is only the bastard brother and not a prince like Don Pedro.  For this reason, he wants to destroy any joy or happiness that Don Pedro might have, even if it's only peripheral happiness at seeing one of his (Don Pedro's) men happy.  That is why Don John decides he wants to create havoc and ruin the relationship between Claudio and Hero.  Claudio is one of Don Pedro's best officers and one of Don Pedro's best friends.  Don Pedro likes his friend, Claudio, so much that he tells Claudio that he will woo Hero for him.  Don John finds out that Don Pedro is doing that and purposely lets Claudio "find out" that Don Pedro is wooing Hero for himself.  When that misconception is cleared up and the wedding is set, Don John again decides to destroy the relationship.  This time, Don John makes it look like Hero is cheating on Don Pedro with one of Don John's men.  In the end, Don John and his deceits are exposed and he is arrested.  He is the antagonist in the play.

How is Don John's character presented in Much Ado About Nothing?

Don John is the villain of Much Ado About Nothing. By all appearances, he is sullen and quiet. When Leonato welcomes him into his home, Don John says that he is “not of many words.” Beatrice says that he looks so “tartly” she is “heart-burned an hour after.” She compares him to “an image [that] says nothing,” and Hero admits that he “is of a very melancholy disposition.”

The reason for his gloom is because he is the prince Don Pedro’s illegitimate brother. They have only recently reconciled, and Don John resents his position. He is also jealous of Claudio for stealing Don Pedro’s affection. Don John refuses to show any gratitude, stating that he will “smile at no man's jests” and laugh only when he is merry. He explains quite clearly how bitter and disagreeable he is:

I had rather be a canker in a hedge than a rose in his [Don Pedro’s] grace, and it better fits my blood to be disdained of all than to fashion a carriage to rob love from any: in this, though I cannot be said to be a flattering honest man, it must not be denied but I am a plain-dealing villain.

Don John and his friends devise a plot to shame Don Pedro, Claudio, and Hero, Claudio’s innocent fiancée. He first manipulates Claudio into thinking Don Pedro wants Hero for himself and then “proves” to Claudio and Don Pedro that Hero is having an affair with the drunkard Borachio. (It is actually Borachio and Margaret, not Hero, who have the liaison.) Don John’s cruel devices put a damper on the celebrations in Messina.

What qualities are portrayed in Don Pedro's character in Much Ado About Nothing?

Don Pedro is most noted for his regal graciousness. He is titled Prince of Arragon and his demeanor is befitting that of a prince in his interactions with his subordinates and with his host and his host's family. He willingly awards honor to his deserving soldiers and willingly speaks with them as equals such as in the conversation between Claudio, Benedick and himself. Further he willingly helps Claudio win Hero's love and hand in marriage, even to the point of impersonating Claudio who is tongue-tied by his emotions for Hero.

However, when presented with what would be a great infamy and religious sin--the prospect of Hero being unfaithful to Claudio--he agrees rather quickly with the shocked Claudio that, if the accusations prove true, Hero should be publicly denounced instead of quietly rejected. Further, when presented with what seems like irrefutable evidence against Hero, he rather quickly believes what is seen as shadows at a distance, with the strongest evidence being a bedroom window, rather than pursue a deeper investigation and attain cold hard facts in the form of visual confirmation of the shadowy form being Hero's person. After Hero has been denounced, Don Pedro shows his lofty side and unrelentingly exposes what he believes to be Hero's infamous behavior.

A portrayal of Don Pedro would include all three of these character facets--facets that make him a well-rounded, multi-dimensional character--each of which is underpinned by his royal status as Prince of Arragon. Don Pedro is regal and gracious. He is able to punish immorality and dishonor. He is able to stand his ground in the face of opposition. His error (if this were a tragedy, it would be his fatal error) is his quickness to take up arms, so to speak, against that which violates the morality and honor. Had he tempered Claudio's impetuousness and seasoned it with a prince's mercy and had he challenged Don John's accusations and insisted on firm evidence instead of shadowy suggestion, then Hero would not have been devastated and he and Claudio would not have played the fool's part at Don John's malicious manipulation of events.