Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing

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have been tricked by John the Bastard "their wisdoms be mislead in this, the practice of it lives in John the Bastard,"(4.1.197-198) this shows that the confirmation from another person validates their word therefore showing that their word alone is only considered but, not taken as truth. Furthermore, when Hero and Claudio first show their love for each other Don Pedro and Beatrice are there, Beatrice says how she wont speak aloud but, she whispers that she loves him back,"My cousin tells him in his ear that he is in her heart"(2.1.308-309) Beatrice says this to Don John. After that Claudio says "and so she doth, cousin."(2.1.310) he says this to confirm what she says as if it is a double check because the word of the middle class people needs to be double checked or confirmed.

Lastly, there is the group at the top of the ladder, the highest ranking people in the play are Don Pedro and Leanato and there word is very meaningful and has lots of power. To go with this Leanato gives away his only daughter to Claudio only because of the word of Don Pedro "Here, Claudio, I have wooed in thy name, and fair Hero is won. I have broke with her father and his goodwill obtained."(2.1.292-294) this shows how a man is willing to trust someone solely by the word of someone in the upper class or with high status like Don Pedro. Also, there is when Don Pedro confirms what Claudio is saying when he accuses Hero of being unfaithful and the Prince backs up what Claudio is saying "Leanato, I am sorry you must hear. Upon my honor, myself, my brother, and this grieved count did see her, hear her, at that hour last night..."(4.1.92-95). In regards to with Leanato when he tells the Prince and Claudio that Hero is dead "Thou hast killed my child."(5.1.88) he has no trouble convincing them because he has power and respect and they believe what he says. Considering this information it is clear that when people with power speak it is considered to be truth.

As one can see the status of someone dictates how much their word means and how much impact it has on others. With the lower class their word is dismissed. With the middle class others consider what they say but, don’t take it for one hundred percent truth. Lastly, the people holding the most power their word is considered to be truth. Overall, it is unreasonable to say that in Shakespeare’s time one class did not dictate the meaning of someone’s word, because clearly it did and someone social status greatly impacted they way people lived and socialized.