Deceit and deception play an important role in William Shakespeare's play Much Ado About Nothing. Deception is a key theme in the play, but it also drives the plot. Deceit and deceit are used in the love stories of the couples Hero and Claudio, and Benedick and Beatrice, with opposite results. This play demonstrates two different types of deception: the one whose sole purpose is to cause problems and the one used to achieve a good result. In the relationship between Hero and Claudio, deception almost manages to separate them forever, while in the case of Benedick and Beatrice, it brings them closer. The first use of deception in the relationship between Hero and Claudio occurs when Claudio's friend Don Pedro pretends to be Claudio to woo Hero for Claudio. Later, Don John uses deception as a tool to ruin Hero and Claudio's happiness. Before the wedding, he tells Claudio: "I came here to tell you, and, the circumstances have shortened – because she [Hero] spoke too long – the lady is disloyal." (3.2.96–98.) Don John takes Claudio to Hero's window and convinces him that he is seeing Hero being disloyal when in reality it is Hero's servant, Margaret, with Borachio. Claudio accuses Hero at their wedding and as a result she faints. Claudio leaves and the Friar, who was supposed to marry them, suggests that Hero's family tell everyone that she is dead, which is another use of deception. Borachio confesses how Don John bribed him to join the plan to make Hero appear disloyal. Hearing this, Claudio regrets his accusation and apologizes to Leonato. Leonato pulls off the next deception because he tells Claudio that he has a granddaughter who looks exactly like Hero. Claudio agrees to marry her even... middle of paper... they doubt they would ever reveal their emotions without the joke their friend played on them. A central theme in Much Ado About Nothing is deception and deceit. . This theme is also what drives the plot of the work. While cheating is usually seen as bad, in Beatrice and Benedick's case it was a positive thing that helped them discover their love for each other. For Hero and Claudio, deception nearly destroyed their relationship, but it also ultimately brought them together. If trickery and deceit were not present in Much Ado About Nothing, the comedy would certainly be different. Works CitedShmoop Editorial Team. “Much ado about nothing, fear of lies and deception.” Shmoop.com. Shmoop University, Inc., November 11, 2008. Web. December 10, 2013. Thomas, Rebecca S. Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing", Deception and Love." HubPages. Np, nd Web. December 10, 2013. Web Page