In the play “Much Ado About Nothing”, Don John is a puppet whose strings are pulled by various characters and the society in which he lives. Although he does monkey business like all the characters in the play, he is the one who is harshly judged and punished for it. His malice is not an innate trait but rather he chooses it to distinguish himself from others. Don John is Don Pedro's illegitimate half-brother in the play. Don Pedro is the Prince of Aragon and is well respected throughout the play, while Don John is treated with cautious attention and indifference. In act three, scene three, Leonato greets Don Pedro with enthusiasm and respect: “There never were problems like your grace; for trouble being gone, comfort should remain, but when you leave me, sorrow remains and happiness takes leave” (1.1.80-83). But he greets Don John politely and Don John politely responds, “Thank you.” I don’t talk much, but I thank you” (1.1.127). Immediately, Leonato and Don Pedro exclude Don John from their conversation and walk away and Don John is not seen in the play again until Act One, Scene Three. Don John is pretty much isolated with all the main characters except his two companions. Borachio and Conrad. In Act 1, Scene 3, Conrad inquires about Don John's boundless melancholy, and Don John explains himself thus: “I cannot hide what I am. I must be sad when I need to be, and not smile at any man's jokes; I eat when I have the stomach and I wait for no man's leisure; I sleep when I'm sleepy and don't mind anyone's business; laugh when I am cheerful, and scratch no one in his mood” (1.3.10-14). As the scene progresses, Conrad warns Don John to be careful because Don Pedro has him in his...... middle of paper. ......ck saying: “Don't think about him until tomorrow, I will invent courageous punishments for him. Hit the pipers” (5.4.121-122). With this ending and the treatment of Don John throughout the play, it is clear that he will never be able to mix positively, unsuspectingly, and with other characters. His harsh condemnation of deception is hypocritical in that almost every character in the play, from Don Pedro to Leonato himself, has deceived people, but not with bad intentions like Don John. His reputation since his birth has dictated his life and his only alternative to not being labeled an untrustworthy bastard is to become a “simple” villain, to forge his own identity. Although everyone thinks he's a conniving villain, Don John simply forces himself to be one; prove that he has his own identity among the “chic” people of Messina even if it is antagonistic.