[Setting]
Don John, the bastard brother of Don Pedro, is with his follower Conrade, and they discuss their discontent and plans to cause trouble for the upcoming marriage between Hero and Claudio.
Enter Sir John the Bastard, and Conrade, his companion.
CONRADE
“What the goodyear, my lord, why are you thus out of measure sad?”
➡ Explanation: Conrade asks Don John why he is so sad. “Goodyear” is a playful, archaic expression, equivalent to asking “What’s wrong with you?”
➡ Analysis: Conrade seems confused by Don John’s melancholy.
➡ Language Device: Colloquial language “What the goodyear” makes the tone more casual.
➡ Theme: Unhappiness and Discontent – Don John’s mood sets the tone for the scene.
DON JOHN
“There is no measure in the occasion that breeds. Therefore the sadness is without limit.”
➡ Explanation: Don John says that the reason for his sadness is so great that it cannot be measured—it’s limitless.
➡ Analysis: Don John is emphasizing the depth of his dissatisfaction, making it clear that his grievances go beyond what can be easily understood.
➡ Theme: Resentment – Don John’s unhappiness stems from deep resentment.
CONRADE
“You should hear reason.”
➡ Explanation: Conrade suggests that Don John should listen to logical advice.
➡ Analysis: Conrade is trying to help Don John, but Don John’s bitterness prevents him from seeing reason.
➡ Theme: Reason vs. Emotion – Don John rejects reason, letting his emotions dictate his actions.
DON JOHN
“And when I have heard it, what blessing brings it?”
➡ Explanation: Don John sarcastically questions what good reason will do him.
➡ Analysis: He is dismissive of reason, seeing no benefit in it because he is consumed by anger and bitterness.
➡ Theme: Pessimism – Don John’s cynicism colors his view of the world.
CONRADE
“If not a present remedy, at least a patient sufferance.”
➡ Explanation: Conrade suggests that reason may not provide an immediate fix, but it could help Don John endure his suffering.
➡ Analysis: Conrade is trying to offer a more practical perspective, implying that patience might ease the pain.
➡ Language Device: Contrast – Conrade presents patience as an alternative to immediate relief.
➡ Theme: Endurance and Patience – contrasting views on how to deal with pain.
DON JOHN
“I wonder that thou, being, as thou sayst thou art, born under Saturn, goest about to apply a moral medicine to a mortifying mischief.”
➡ Explanation: Don John remarks that it’s strange Conrade tries to offer moral advice, considering he is “born under Saturn” (a reference to being born under an unlucky star, linked to melancholy).
➡ Analysis: Don John is being ironic and dismissive, rejecting any form of optimism or reason.
➡ Language Device: Allusion – “born under Saturn” refers to the ancient belief that those born under Saturn were destined for misfortune.
➡ Theme: Fate and Free Will – Don John feels fated to unhappiness and rejects any notion of changing it.
DON JOHN
“I cannot hide what I am. I must be sad when I have cause, and smile at no man’s jests; eat when I have stomach, and wait for no man’s leisure; sleep when I am drowsy, and tend on no man’s business; laugh when I am merry, and claw no man in his humor.”
➡ Explanation: Don John explains that he can’t hide his true feelings—he does exactly what he wants without considering others.
➡ Analysis: This reveals his deeply individualistic and rebellious nature, where he does not conform to social expectations.
➡ Language Device: Repetition – The repeated structure of “I must” and “I…” emphasizes his resistance to societal norms.
➡ Theme: Individualism vs. Society – Don John rejects societal conventions and embraces a more self-serving approach.
CONRADE
“Yea, but you must not make the full show of this till you may do it without controlment. You have of late stood out against your brother, and he hath ta’en you newly into his grace, where it is impossible you should take true root but by the fair weather that you make yourself. It is needful that you frame the season for your own harvest.”
➡ Explanation: Conrade advises Don John not to show his true nature too openly, especially since he has recently been reconciled with his brother Don Pedro. He should act more favorably to gain his brother’s trust and position.
➡ Analysis: Conrade recognizes that Don John is at a disadvantage and advises him to play the game of social propriety.
➡ Language Device: Metaphor – “Frame the season for your own harvest” suggests that Don John needs to create favorable conditions for his future success.
➡ Theme: Power and Manipulation – Conrade encourages Don John to manipulate situations for his benefit.
DON JOHN
“I had rather be a canker in a hedge than a rose in his grace, and it better fits my blood to be disdained of all than to fashion a carriage to rob love from any.”
➡ Explanation: Don John prefers to be despised and independent (a “canker in a hedge”) than to be part of his brother’s favor. He is unwilling to fake emotions, even for personal gain.
➡ Analysis: This highlights Don John’s bitterness and his refusal to conform to what he perceives as dishonesty or insincerity.
➡ Language Device: Metaphor – “Canker in a hedge” is an image of something unwanted, corrupting, and opposed to beauty.
➡ Theme: Rebellion and Isolation – Don John rejects the comforts of social acceptance in favor of staying true to his resentful self.
DON JOHN
“In this, though I cannot be said to be a flattering honest man, it must not be denied but I am a plain-dealing villain. I am trusted with a muzzle and enfranchised with a clog; therefore I have decreed not to sing in my cage. If I had my mouth, I would bite; if I had my liberty, I would do my liking. In the meantime, let me be that I am, and seek not to alter me.”
➡ Explanation: Don John admits that he’s not a “flattering honest man” but is an openly “plain-dealing villain,” refusing to act in a socially acceptable way. He feels restricted and trapped, but his actions are true to his nature.
➡ Analysis: This monologue solidifies Don John’s role as a villain in the play. He rejects any form of hypocrisy, preferring to act out of his resentment.
➡ Language Device: Metaphor – “Muzzle” and “clog” represent restraints on his actions.
➡ Theme: Freedom vs. Restraint – Don John’s sense of freedom and self-expression is stifled, and he resents this.
CONRADE
“Can you make no use of your discontent?”
➡ Explanation: Conrade asks Don John if he can channel his unhappiness into something useful.
➡ Analysis: This is a subtle suggestion for Don John to use his bitterness for a productive purpose, foreshadowing his future plans.
➡ Theme: Discontent as Motivation – Don John’s discontent can lead to negative action, driving the plot forward.
DON JOHN
“I make all use of it, for I use it only.”
➡ Explanation: Don John states that his entire purpose is to use his discontent for his own plans, indicating that his negativity is his driving force.
➡ Analysis: This is a clear admission that Don John will use his resentment as the foundation for his actions.
➡ Theme: Resentment and Revenge – Don John is motivated entirely by his desire to cause trouble.
Enter Borachio.
DON JOHN
“What news, Borachio?”
➡ Explanation: Don John asks Borachio (another follower) for updates.
➡ Theme: Plotting and Scheming – the characters begin to plot against the marriage.
BORACHIO
“I came yonder from a great supper. The Prince your brother is royally entertained by Leonato, and I can give you intelligence of an intended marriage.”
➡ Explanation: Borachio reports that Don Pedro (the Prince) is at a grand supper hosted by Leonato, and he has information about a planned marriage.
➡ Analysis: This starts to set the stage for Don John’s plan to interfere.
➡ Theme: Eavesdropping and Deception – Borachio has overheard key details.
DON JOHN
“Will it serve for any model to build mischief on? What is he for a fool that betroths himself to unquietness?”
➡ Explanation: Don John is interested in whether the news can be used to cause trouble. He questions why anyone would commit to causing unrest.
➡ Analysis: He’s already thinking of ways to turn this marriage into something he can disrupt.
➡ Theme: Conflict and Trouble-Making – Don John seeks opportunities for creating conflict.
BORACHIO
“Marry, it is your brother’s right hand.”
➡ Explanation: Borachio confirms that the marriage is Claudio and Hero’s, and that it involves Don Pedro’s close ally, Claudio.
➡ Theme: Romantic Conflict – introduces the romantic rivalry that will drive the plot.
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