COMMENTARY

Dogberry is a character who is completely misunderstood  by both the other characters within the play and also by critics. Coleridge said " Take away from Much Ado all that which is not indispensable to the plot, either as having little to do with it, or at best, like Dogberry what remains? the implication is nothing, or almost nothing. The play as a whole has no purpose- that is has no unity.” However it seems obvious that Coleridge has failed to understand the concept of Dogberry as a character, he is used in Much Ado to provide an essential effort of comic relief at times where the narrative strays to far into the tragic genre, rather, scenes with Dogberry are used when the previous scenes events need a release of tension- Dogberry being the fool discontinues the previous scenes descent into tragedy by applying various comedic conventions stereotypical to the stock character of ‘the fool’. Note that we do not observe  Claudio witnessing ‘Hero’s Deceit’ which would otherwise be a key scene within the play. Instead, we learn of the deception through a drunken Borachio met with the Idiocy and misunderstanding of Dogberry. If the scene was exchanged with the deception of Claudio then our perceptions of the play would be completely changed; instead of laughing at Dogberrys repeated malapropisms we would instead witness darker themes set through Don John. Yes the characters Dogberry and Verges hold no unity with the other characters within the play but this does not make their role insignificant and pointless, achieving comic relief needs characters uninvolved within the main plot of the play else the same substantial release of tension would not be achieved. For example, if we used Benedick to establish comic relief we would not be able to stray from the main events which caused the tension previously (Benedick being a main character would not be able to be detached from the plays main story). Dogberry and the watchmen having no unity with the rest of the play allow us to step away from the tension as they hold no relation to the main plot points, so, can pursue a secondary plot without any tension.

Coleridge continues “any other less ingeniously absurd watchmen and night constables would have answered the mere necessitates of the action” However Coleridge’s separation of the character and plot and led him to misunderstand Dogberry’s purpose; the character is a clear example of ‘the fool’ a classic conventional character in Comic writing. It seems ignorant to criticize the characters necessity within the play when he is just an extension of the stock characters within the genre. Instead of laughing a Benedick’s witticism instead we utilize the ‘superiority theory’ and laugh at Dogberry’s inability to communicate the true nature of his words. In Act II Sc IV he uses the phrase ‘I am an ass’ with the meaning to tell whomever that he has been called an ass, and is not happy with this. However, his phrasing makes it apparent that he is proclaiming himself as ‘an ass’ and we the audience making use of dramatic irony, as we know what the character means to say we feel superior, which we laugh at; thus implementing the ‘superiority theory’. His misuse of speech furthers in his constant malapropisms "Marry, sir, i would have some confidence with you that decerns you dearly " the character means to say concerns; this misuse of language sends the scenes conversation into continuous non-contextual prose to keep away from the serious sub-text running throughout the scenes. I incorporate the same style into my scene with the misuse of  ‘pigment’ which subsequently spirals into a meaningless conversation where Dogberry assumes Don John has given him a compliment, which ironically he replaces with ‘condiment’. This misuse of language reflects on the plays theme of power behind language, rather Don John admits ‘if he had a mouth he would bite’ – Don John lacks the power of language so feels he has no power. Dogberry, however, seems to posses the ability of speech but lacks the application, in act III sc IV Dogberry attempts to communicate to Leonato in an attempt to express what Don John and Borachio have done, except he wishes to express it in a way to present himself as excessively successful and intelligent, ironically, it is his overwhelmed idiocy and constant use of malapropisms which prevent him in getting his point across.

Notes for C/w

4 Creative.

Study Scenes with Dogberry- get to know the character, know his malapropisms, observe any repeated speech for mimic in my own scene. Mae sure to include Satire and Vulgarity.
Implement the idea that Dogberry feels higher than the other- exaggerate his pomposity.
Use his accidental witissisems- important that he doesnt KNOW he is funny- rather we find him funny because of his idiocy, we find his reaction against other characters funny.
Must include another character for Dogberry to bounce off and misunderstand to release his malapropisms- show his idiocy.
Could i use another character to belittle dogberry (without dogberry realising) ? would making us feel sorry for the idiot be a good move- or would this counter the plays other scenes in which no emotional level is included within Dogberrys scenes?
Make sure to link back to Dogberrys previous scenes
" I AM AN ASS "
Attack Coleridges criticism - character is used as comic relief- relief of tension - brings it away from being a tragedy. it is significant that we as the audience do not get to see Claudio "discovering" Hero with Borachio- instead we get comic relief and hear of it through a drunken Borachio in a comedic manner. Creates the lighter tone
Explore the stock character " fool " Dogberry is not insignificant if he is a stock character, part of comic writing. " Staple of Comedy"

RESEARCH FOOL CHARACTER- COPY ATTRIBUTES INTO OWN SCENE.

Power of language- has the ability of speech but is unable to use it correctly so presents him as a fool. Ironic this his idiocy leaves him content as he misunderstands " Leonato: Neighbours, you were tedious " Dogberry It pleases your worship to say so "
Representitive of lower class

Cake.

Beatrice

Chocolate buttons
liquorice all sorts
Sugar icing
Strawberry centre
Cupcake

Beatrices first appearance presents her as man loathing single woman, not content on any man and wishes never or at least is incapable to love a man, the liquorice represents the decoration she puts on herself to keep men away; She being not content on a young boy or a bearded man shows her inability to feel content in the idea of a mans company itself. The chocolate buttons represent the defences Beatrice has put up, it is obvious she still feels for Benedick " i know you of old " as they continually reference back to how he stole her love (something along those lines). The sugar icing and strawberry centre represent the sweet nature and release Beatrice shows when coming to realisation of her love for Benedick (Sonnet after her Gulling)

Study Questions

Claudio chooses to shame Hero infront of the wedding service as public humiliation in an act to preserve his honour, rather he feels the only way to redeem his reputation is to shame Hero in front of everyone, perhaps he assumes they all know, and in a way to boost his image- almost shows of his power to the public.

Leonato is devastated,  for Hero is his "only daughter" and her being named a whore has caused a bad name on his whole family, his only heir is now a disgrace. He sentences her, or wishes her, death after she collapses, in an act of rage.

Benedick has chosen Beatrice's side over the matter, over his brothers (which is disgraceful) as he is quite obviously besotted by her, wishes to please her, and obviously by taking her side he will achieve this.

Leonato and Friars facial expression? - ?

Benedick is the first to name Don John as the schemer, as he knows him best out of the remaining company.

The Friar explains that on Hero's fake death, her accusations will fall and she will appear innocent again, Claudio upon hearing her death will begin loving her again with every "organ" and "wish he didnt accuse[d] her" If this does not work however she will be sent to live a isolated religious life, most likely to live in a monastery and assumed dead.

Beatrice's and Benedick's dialogue contains many short sentences, this may be because of their infatuation they cannot deny speaking to each other (probably now), they are nervous in their admittance of love for each other. The language contrasts the anger of the previous scene and exaggerates the empathic language the pair use. The (-) punctuation is stage direction for Benedick to kiss Beatrice.

Benedick admits his love first, he is trying to offer his comfort and support for her. However he finds out he will only receive her love if he were to "kill claudio" Beatrice illustrates her anger to show Heros innocence. "slandered".

By Benedick accepting Beatrices demands it shows the character developing in maturity- truly ridding himself of his previous "die a bachelor all women love me" attitude, he is accepting her love and wishes to be with her.

Act 3 Sc 5

Dogberry and his malapropisms:

" Marry, sir, i would have some confidence with you that decerns you dearly " (concerns)

Above all, Dogberry wished to communicate to Leonato to let him know what Don John and Borachio have done, except he wishes to tell him in a way to present himself as successful and intelligent, ironically it is is overwhelmed idiocy and constant use of malapropisms which prevent him in getting his point across; instead, he succeeds in angering Leonato. Infact, Leonato reluctantly gives them the title of having "all [his] tediousness". Failing to understand, Dogberry and Verges, are honoured.

The Scene i made up.

Write a short scene involving Verges and Dogberry meeting the watch immediately as they have arrested Conrad and Borachio – malapropisms, misunderstandings, dramatic irony, farce

Scene Enter (Dogberry, Verges, Watchmen 1, watchmen 2.)

Dogberry: Alas! For I, Dogberry. Sir- Sergeant? Captain, hath captured and charged two of the most villainous of villains to have been wondering the world. Attention! {to whole pub}

 I insist that the name Dogberry be written in history novels for maternity! In fact Dogberry will be cause for legend side by side with the greats of Hercules! and others of course. And in my great strength I have triumphed over evil to allow the world to return to status quo. Dogberry, mightiest of mighty.  (company grunts)

Alas, of course I wouldn’t of been able to conjure over the foes without my trusty gentlemen! Cheers! Drink up!

Verges: Cheers!

Watchmen: Cheers!

(all drink)

Member of public: Sir I beg pardon, but, did you mean conquer?

Dogberry: { To Verges} it appears the recent success hath blinded the young squires vision {to man} Are you questioning the mightiest of mightys intelligence? For I, Dogberry, am the most arrested

Verges: Respected, sir.

{ turns to verges} Thankyou,{turns back} respected.  police official in the whole of Italy! And a mighty lover too- for I have conjured many a women in my time {nods at man}

Verges: And as soon as the womenfolk realise the mightys recent success he would have every woman in the land  if he were lucky!

Dogberry: Yes! Exactly! If I was lucky I could have any number of women, in fact, of course I can have any number of woman and that is not just a pigment of my imagination.

Member of Public: You mean figment.

Dogberry: {hushed, to verges} Alas, what does the young man mean?

Verges: Mean by who?

Dogberry: No, he used the word figment, I am quizzing your intelligence by asking you to define. Of course, I do know.

Verges: Pigment? Well of course it is… a fruit. Yes a fruit I’m sure.

Dogberry! Well done, I knew it just. And by this he means?

Verges: Well he must mean you are sweet sir, of course he must realise your mightiness!

Dogberry. {nodding, mumbles} I am mighty. Well of course he meant that!

{to man} I accept your lovely condiment! How nice of you! You obviously were as not as I saw! I saw you as a wolf in cheap clothing! But , mere mortal, this will be the only time you deceive my judgement! For just today I arrested a villain for cursing {to verges} John? {to man}  John! Don? The Prince!

Man: Sheep.

Dogberry: Yes. {looks at verges in agreement}

Verges: You are correct.

Man: What? You are fools!

Watchmen (obviously drunk): We are all sheep. Following the loud. Crowd. The really loud crowd.

Dogberry: Of course, he is a fool. But, only a fool in drunkness, for he is a member of my party! And my party is mighty, for have I told you of how we caught some villains just today!

Verges: Today.

Dogberry: And lots of women like us.

Act III sc IV

Beatrice was a completely independent character previously in the play, stating that she would "lead the the apes into hell" she should die a single woman, not being able to love a man. However, now it is obvious that she is "unwell" coincidently when Benedick has also changed his appearance. We infer her unwell nature spirals from her realisation to loving Benedick (insert her huge sonnet). Margarets accidental reference of "cardius Benedictus" provokes Beatrices defence over the matter. This parallels Benedick earlier in the play when he states " there is a double meaning in that" after Beatrice asks him to dinner. It appears what the pair represented as institutionalised love has ended in them becoming the cliche love lost state of being.

The character Margaret is a stage distraction used to distract us from what Hero and Beatrice are saying, for they are expressing " pre wedding jitters " feeling uneasy, to foreshadow the following events. however her vulgar jokes distract us from the seriou points and allow the scene to carry out lighthearted. Unlucky for her that margaret, being lower class, again seems to show the upperclass and vulgar, disrespectful etc.