For Life Or As A Microcosm Of The Messina Society

The dance in Act 2, Scene 1 is an important scene of the play, with the dominant themes of the play being present and also a scene in which the relationships between the characters develop, but it can also be seen as a microcosm of the Messina society.

A key of theme throughout the play is deception, and this is present in the scene. The four men are masked in an attempt to hide their identity from the women, which adds to theme of deception throughout the play, but when the dance is viewed as a microcosm of the Messina society, this could be seen as Shakespeare being critical of the men presenting themselves falsely to woo the women, and how this could weaken the marriage between them.

Shakespeare also presents the characters as keen to meet the chivalrous and proper expectations of them within the dance. As Balthasar and Margaret dance, the dialogue between them is full of religious references, as both characters mention 'prayer' and 'amen'.

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This shows the strong belief that the society has in God, and the natural order of God being at the top, and the characters show this in their attempts to be chivalrous, again Shakespeare invites the audience to criticise how the Messina society is too concerned with appearance.

Shakespeare uses this scene to extend his criticism and examination of the patriarchal society. Shakespeare uses the structure of the dance as a metaphor for the marriage situation in the society of Messina, and parodies this. 'Will you walk about with a friend?', Don Pedro asks Hero, this shows how it is the responsibility of the men to gain the women's hand in marriage, and could also show how the women aren't free, and instead are either owned by their father or by their husband.

We see an element of rebellion against the structure and practices of he Messina society by Hero, she says 'I may so when I please', her attempt to gain control of the situation. This is a very different character from the submissive Hero that the audience have seen in previous scenes, and the surprised reaction from the audience will mirror the reaction that the society will take from Hero's rebellious stance. This can also suggest that Shakespeare is commenting on the patriarchal marriage system, suggesting that the women have an unofficial power.

The dance has a quick movement, with partners moving on, allowing the scene to be conducted with dramatic intensity, but also Showing the competition the men face in the Messina society to win the women's hand in marriage.

The character of Don John also develops in the scene,

Perhaps the most interesting couple in the dance are Beatrice and Benedick, with the scene being almost a metaphor for their relationship within the play. Again the theme of deception is present as the couple dance, Benedick hides the mask, which can be seen as Benedick hiding behind his feelings for Beatrice, and instead engaged by the comic skirmishes of wit, and the mask shows his dishonesty towards both Beatrice and himself.

However Beatrice is quick to take advantage on this, and again she is shown as witty and intelligent, as she tricks and mocks Benedick, referring to him as 'a very dull fool', 'the prince's jester' and prompts he masked Benedick to 'break a comparison', or make his own comments bout Benedick, he is unsure whether Beatrice knows it is him behind the mask. This leaves Benedick with the predicament of either revealing himself, or joining Beatrice in the mocking of Benedick. The couples dialogue and actions is very different from the rest of the couples in the dance, and seems more natural. As Beatrice closes the dialogue by saying 'We must follow the leaders', this could be shown as perhaps one of the more intelligent and subjective characters in the play, questioning the importance in the Messina society of following the instructions of those considered 'higher' in the hierarchy of Messina.

The scene also functions as a catalyst in the development in the plot, when Don John comments on how he thinks Don Pedro cannot dance with Hero because is no equal for his birth, this allows Don John to develop as the 'bastard' son, but also shows that Don John can be considered an 'honest' villain as he is not afraid to present himself how he is. Don John's disagreement with a woman dancing with Don Pedro who is not his equal at birth, and also shows how quick the society is to criticise couples seen as an 'improper'.

Throughout the dance scene, Shakespeare is critical of the inequalities and limitations of the patriarchal society. Overall the plot of Much Ado About Nothing concerns the dishonesties and failures present within relationships, and Shakespeare uses the dance scene as an indication of an outcome of the plot and a catalyst for the plot to develop.