Act 1 sc 3

Act 1 sc 3
References to " power " and " language "
" My Lord " - Don John is a lord to his friend Conrade, he has a certain degree of power.

" i cannot hide what i am " Feels a sense of pride in what he is, yet the acknowledgement of " hide " shows he realises he is not pleaseant, infact needs to be hidden.

" i had rather be a canker in a hedge than a rose in his grace " devout bitterness and disdain towards his comrade- he would rather be a canker ( a weed ), being unpleaseant and unwanted than be something beautiful in his company- appears jealous of his brother Don Pedro

" i cannot be said to be a flattering honest man, it must not be denii i am a plain dealing villain " Shows admitance in his corruption, not being a " honest man " - however refuses to be called a " plain dealing villain " infering that he does not commit out of vengeance or cruelty.

" i am trusted with a muzzle and enfranchised with a clog. Terefore i have decreed not too sing in my cage" he believes he has been given " a muzzle " that he has been denied his voice, and with it the power of speech. without his vpice ( language ) he has no power- being denied his freedom he refuses to speak out of pride.

 " if i had a mmouth i would bite " infers he realises he does not how the powers of speech, or language. if he did have such ability he would " bite " meaning to speak his words.

" let me be that i am. and seek not to alter me " Wishes to be left alone, does not want help or " charity "- shows a sense of pride again.