Leonato's Wedding Blunder: A Costly Misstep

In Shakespeare's 'Much Ado About Nothing', Leonato makes a mistake at the wedding of his daughter Hero and Claudio by believing the accusations of Hero's promiscuity. Claudio, supported by Don Pedro and Don John, denounces Hero as a lewd woman, and Leonato, instead of defending his daughter, immediately accepts the lies and wishes both himself and Hero dead. He rages against her while Beatrice maintains that Hero is innocent. Leonato is susceptible to the opinions of others and is eager for the wedding to take place, which leads to him making this mistake.

Leonato pushes for a quick wedding ceremony

In Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing", Leonato, the governor of Messina, makes the mistake of pushing for a quick wedding ceremony between his daughter Hero and Count Claudio. He does this despite the friar's initial hesitation and Claudio's reluctance, which should have been a warning sign. Leonato is easily guided by the ideas and opinions of others and is eager to have the wedding take place as soon as possible. He first asks for a short ceremony and then tries to hasten it along by putting words into the mouths of both Claudio and the friar.

Leonato's mistake is that he values social conventions and the opinions of noblemen over the well-being and happiness of his own daughter. He is so eager for the marriage to take place that he overlooks several red flags and fails to stand up for Hero when she is falsely accused of infidelity. Instead, he immediately believes the lies and wishes harm upon himself and his daughter. This shows how quickly he is willing to ignore his history with Hero and accept the word of a young nobleman.

Leonato's mistake has serious consequences for Hero, as her livelihood and social standing depend on her marriageability and perceived chastity. His eagerness to marry her off without proper consideration for her well-being puts her in a vulnerable position and leads to her being publicly shamed and humiliated.

He believes the accusations against Hero

In Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing", Leonato, the governor of Messina, makes the mistake of believing the accusations against his daughter Hero at her wedding.

Hero is falsely accused of infidelity by her fiancé, Claudio, and his companions Don Pedro and Don John. Leonato, swayed by the opinions of others, immediately accepts these lies and turns against his own daughter, wishing her dead for disgracing the family. He rages against Hero, threatening her while ignoring his history as her father. Leonato's sister, Beatrice, and the Friar maintain Hero's innocence, but Leonato is convinced of her guilt.

Leonato's belief in the accusations against Hero is surprising given his position as her father and governor of Messina. He is quick to accept the word of the noblemen over that of his own family, demonstrating his susceptibility to the influence of others. Leonato's mistake has dire consequences for Hero, whose livelihood and social standing depend on her chastity and marriageability.

Leonato's mistake is further highlighted by his agreement to follow the Friar's scheme to hide Hero and pretend that she is dead. This plan is designed to make Claudio realise his mistake and grieve for Hero, rather than to prove her innocence. Leonato's actions reveal his eagerness to please others and his lack of faith in his daughter, which has life-threatening consequences for Hero.

He threatens Hero

In Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing", Leonato, the governor of Messina, makes several mistakes at the wedding of his daughter Hero and Count Claudio. One of these mistakes is his threat towards Hero.

At the wedding, Claudio publicly denounces Hero as a lewd woman, claiming that he saw her with another man the night before. Leonato, instead of defending his daughter's honour, immediately believes the accusations and wishes both himself and Hero dead. He rages against her, threatening to strike her:

> "Hath any man here a dagger for me?"

Leonato's language towards Hero is violent and harsh. He speaks of her as a rotten orange, and wishes that he had never had a child:

> "Are these things spoken, or do I but dream? [...]

> Grief hath changed me,

> That I must rage.

> I had but one child,

> But one pretty child,

> And she to be the father of her father!

> ...

> Death is the fairest cover for her shame

> That may be wished for."

Leonato's words and actions at the wedding demonstrate his susceptibility to the opinions of others. He is so eager for the marriage to take place that he asks for a short ceremony and tries to hurry it along. When Claudio accuses Hero, Leonato immediately accepts his word over that of his own daughter, demonstrating his eagerness to please the noblemen and his lack of respect for Hero.

He agrees to hide Hero away

In Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing", Leonato is the governor of Messina and the father of Hero, who is set to marry Claudio. At the wedding, Claudio denounces Hero as unchaste, causing her to faint. He is supported in his accusation by Don Pedro and Don John. Leonato, shocked and hurt, immediately believes the accusations and wishes both himself and Hero dead. However, he eventually agrees to a plan proposed by the Friar to hide Hero away and pretend that she is dead from the shock.

Leonato's decision to go along with the Friar's plan to hide Hero is a significant turning point in the play. It demonstrates his susceptibility to the opinions of others, as he quickly changes his mind about Hero's guilt and agrees to the deception. This decision also sets in motion a series of events that ultimately lead to the restoration of Hero's reputation and her marriage to Claudio.

The plan to hide Hero away involves keeping her secretly confined while publicly announcing her death. It is hoped that this news will make Claudio remember his love for Hero and realise the mistake he has made in accusing her. In the meantime, the truth about Don John's treachery is discovered, clearing Hero's name.

Leonato's agreement to hide Hero away is a crucial moment in the play, as it not only showcases his character but also sets in motion a chain of events that lead to the resolution of the play. It highlights the complex dynamics and relationships between the characters, as well as the societal expectations and norms of the time.

He encourages Beatrice to marry Benedick

In Shakespeare's 'Much Ado About Nothing', Leonato is the governor of Messina and the father of Hero, who is set to marry Claudio. At the wedding, Claudio denounces Hero as unchaste and refuses to marry her. Leonato, susceptible to the opinions of others, immediately believes the accusations and wishes both himself and Hero dead.

However, after the truth is revealed, Leonato eventually agrees to encourage a marriage between his niece, Beatrice, and Benedick, who is Claudio's friend. This is despite the fact that Beatrice and Benedick have spent much of the play engaged in a witty war of words and trading insults.

Leonato's mistake at the wedding is to readily believe the accusations against his daughter's character, and to wish her dead. He is quick to ignore his history with Hero and accept the word of a young nobleman. This is in keeping with his character, which is described as being easily guided by the ideas and opinions of others.

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