As we begin to read the play Much Ado About Nothing, consider all the characters in the play who engage in some form of lying. Please create a blog post in which you discuss whether or not lying is ever ethically or morally justified. Support your ideas with cited examples from the play and with examples pulled from real life. Remember, posts should be 2-3 paragraphs in length. The comments you leave on other's posts should respond to their IDEAS and you should provide backup/rationale for your agreement or disagreement with their ideas. Your initial post is due by 12-22. Your comments on other's posts are due by 1-10-08.
Throughout the play Much Ado About Nothing, Shakespear enhance the plot by making the characters taking part in various lies. In my personal opinion I don't think anyone should ever lie, its just taking the easy way out of situations plus its usually unethical to do so. One of the first times we witness these characters lie is at the mascarade party, the characters continuously lie about who they are and discover things that weren't ment for their ears. It's wrong of Benedick to tell Beatrice that he is not himself and that he doesn't even know a Signior Benedick, and by wrongful decieving her she tells him how much dis taste she has for him. It was wrong of him to do so but Beatrice was overly open about the things she said, saying them to someone she believed to be a stranger. Therefore I don't think Benedick should be blamed, its Beatrices fault for not checking he identity of some she was telling somewhat confidential information. I realize that in real life you would be able to tell if Benedick was really Benedick of some french guy, but Beatrice shoulod really watch what she say becaus ejust lie in the real world, gossip and such spreads liek wildfire and it eventualy comes back around to you.
Later on in the play the Prince, Leonato, Claudio, Hero, and Ursula all join together in tricking Beatrice and Benedick into falling in love with eachother by letting them overhear their fake conversations each saying ofne was in love with the other. This is a clever and complex plan, however they are lieing and decieving both Benedick and Beatrice which is wrong. I know they have the best intentions but I think its wrong to play with peoples hearts and this could potentially end badly with both of them discovering the truth that could have an ireversible negative effect of certain relationships. I think this whole plan is unethical but it isn't that extreame of terrible so I dont think really matters that much. They could have talked both Benedick and Beatrice into like the other without lies or trickery but I must admit this does spice up the plot a bit. Im sure this happens in the real world and i probably know someone ho has been involved in a sceem like this one.
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I agree that lies are necessary sometimes but can sometimes be really hurtfull. But I for one don't think that an example of the a harmful lie in MAAN is the one between Beatrice and Benedick at the masquerade. If Beatrice had not known, she would not have openly expressed her views. I think that one example could be of how Don John's set up of Hero's humiliation led to a conflict between Hero and Claudio. However, I do agree with you that the lie to get Beatrice and Benedick together was worth it.
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