Act 3, Scene 3

Comic relief = a humorous or farcial interlude in a serious literary work or drama, especially a tragedy, intended to to relieve the dramatic tension or heighten the emotional impact by means of contrast
= needed in this scene due to the planned shaming of Hero present in the prior scene.

Before

Don John 'reveals' that Hero is promiscuos and has slept with different men. Claudio plans to shame her at the wedding.


NOW

Borachio drunkenly confesses in front of the incompetent watchmen.

After

The watchmen do not act, wedding carries on as planned and Hero is shamed.


Criticism

"Take away from Much Ado all that which is not dispensable to the plot, either as having little to do iwth it, or, at best, like Dogberry [...] what remains? The implication is nothing, or almost nothing; so that the play as a whole has no purpose - that it has no unity." Coleridge.

Coleridge could be seen as being incorrect, due to an opinion that the characters within the play are living up to their expectations, they know they are playing a role.

Malapropisms = words that sound right but are incorrect.

Coleridge "any other less ingeniously absurd watchmen and night constables would have answered the mere necessities of the action."


Study Questions

1) The serious social problem regarding the satire on Dogberry and the watch, is that Dogberry seemingly appears to be of a lower class, and thus intelligence. The distinct difference between Dogberry and the higher class characters within the play is especially evident through Leonato's exasperation towards Dogberry's misdoings, in the later Act 3, Scene 5 "I am now in great haste, as it may appear unto you." The power of the novel resides with the ability to communicate; Dogberry's many malapropisms are further evidence for his small place in society. Even Don John, who even himself believes him to not be of "many words.", is presented as being competent, which cannot be said for Dogberry. This could be Shakespeare's criticism of the watch and patrol present in his contemporary period; lower class and incompetent. As a result, the higher class are free to run riot, such as Don John, Borachio and the shaming of Hero.

2) Dogberry's use of malaprops are a reflection of his incompetence. Also, his malapropisms are key to the main function of this scene, creating comic relief ie "if they should have an allegiance in them" (should be disloyalty), "who think you the most desertless man" (deserving), "you are thought to be the most senseless" (sensible).


I'LL REVISIT THIS, MENTAL BLOCK