In William Shakespeare’s play “Much Ado about Nothing”, we are introduced to the duct tape character Don Pedro the Prince of Aragon. I say duct tape because he is a strong character, a very useful character and he seems to hold the play together as a much needed character. Don Pedro is the middle man and friendly matchmaker who adds a comedy value and a mild tragedy, which is typical of Shakespearian plays.
Don Pedro was a military commander who had just come back from war. No doubt his motivation in playing cupid was a product of his military training. Being in control of situations was his training, so naturally he used this tactic in fixing up his friends with their future spouses. He seemed to think each love match was a mission and used …show more content…
Claudo liked and trusted his friend, so when Don Pedro said, “I will assume thy part in some disguise and tell fair Hero I am Caudo, and in her bosom I’ll unclasp my heart and take her hearing prisoner with the force and strong encounter of my amourous tale.” Claudo happily agreed for his friend to make the match. Don Pedro did such a great job that her father was woo’d as well.
Don Pedro did not mind manipulating to get the outcome he wanted. But his form of manipulation was positive and not meant to hurt anyone, but only to help. When he proposed to Beatrice, I believe it was only to draw her closer to his friend Benedick. Don Pedro said,”I would she had bestowed her dotage on me. I would have daffed all other respects and made her half myself.” He says this to convince his friend that Beatrice is worthy of his affection. Nowadays we would say, “Hey man, she’s hot, I’d date her myself.”
Shakespeare created Don Pedro in this comedy of misunderstandings as the voice of reason. He added wisdom and maturity as the “elder statesman” of the play. He was the peacemaker and source of fun. He was the kind of friend you wanted to have. Without him, this play would have been much ado about