Illustration of Hero wearing a mask

Much Ado About Nothing

by William Shakespeare

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Student Question

Which quotes suggest Dogberry is a fool in "Much Ado about Nothing"?

Quick answer:

Dogberry's foolishness in "Much Ado About Nothing" is highlighted by his comic incompetence and misuse of language. For example, he tells the watchmen to let drunk men "alone till they are sober" and uses "comprehended" instead of "apprehended" and "aspicious" instead of "suspicious." These malapropisms, combined with his self-importance, make him a humorous character, providing comic relief amidst the play's more serious events.

Expert Answers

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Dogberry is used for comic relief in the play. As the constable he is supposed to be investigating the case of Don John, who viciously set up Hero and Claudio, but actually he is fairly incompetent. He believes that he is important, and that makes his goofy inadequacy all the funnier.

Consider the conversation between Dogberry and the watchman.

Why, you speak like an ancient and most quiet
watchman; for I cannot see how sleeping should
offend: only, have a care that your bills be not
stolen. Well, you are to call at all the
ale-houses, and bid those that are drunk get them to bed. (Act 3, Scene 3)

He says that if they can’t get the drunk men to bed, they should “let them alone till they are sober.” Dogberry often gets mixed up like this, not quite saying what he means to say.

One word, sir: our watch, sir, have indeed
comprehended two aspicious persons, and we would
have them this morning examined before your worship. (Act 3, Scene 5)

Obviously he does not mean “comprehended” but “apprehended” or caught. He also does not mean “auspicious” but “suspicious.” It is not even clear that Dogberry can count. Still, in the end Don John’s plan is found out. Dogberry may be useless, but he is harmless.

In a play about "nothing," Dogberry serves an important role. Despite the serious nature of the events, the play really is mostly a comedy. Dogberry breaks in when things may seem too serious to make the audience laugh. Like many of Shakespeare's clowns, he is completely sincere. Shakespeare loved wordplay, especially having characters like Dogberry use malapropisms, or the wrong words. The audience would get the joke and laugh through his scenes.

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