There are perks to be considered in turning to a Hero. According to Aristotle: “A man cannot become a hero until he can see the root of his downfall”. (Kaura, 2011) Based on the characteristics that Aristotle suggested, a tragic Hero must be someone of noble status and portrays greatness. The noble characteristics must already be evident from the start of the play. With the high status comes chivalric virtues innate in the character. In contrast with the prominent greatness of the tragic hero, he/she is not perfect. The downfall of a hero is partly due to his own fault, probably because of wrong decision making. This cause of the downfall is termed as hamartia, or the tragic flaw which is often intertwined with hubris or the hero’s arrogance and over-confidence. With regard to the hero’s downfall, the consequence often exceeds the gravity of the misconduct. However, the audience will not be left hanging with all the misfortunes that the hero experienced. After some realizations, discoveries, and coming to senses, the hero rises from his downfall. (Defining Tragedy, 2005)

These characteristics are reflected in Shakespeare’s “Much Ado about Nothing”, in the character of Claudio. In Act 1 Scene 1, Claudio’s name was first said. He is regarded as a Florentine who won the war twice (idiomatically) because he won the war without any casualty. In the same Act and Scene, the Messenger regarded Claudio as a nobleman, making him of high status. Knowing all these, we can say that he is regarded great.

Claudio, just like any other person he came to like someone, just a little more unique because it is love at first sight. However, there was an unexpected turn of events. Don John wanted to disrupt everyone’s happiness, so he plotted Borachio to make love with Margaret (Hero’s handmaid) in Hero’s room, and asked Don Pedro and Claudio watch. Claudio thought that it was hero with another person, making him jealous which turned to hatred and enragement.

Claudio humiliated Hero to everyone, as he accuses her of lechery. A very rush act from Claudio, he recklessly did things while he is still blinded with is anger. This act of Claudio made Hero’s family to plot about her death.

Eventually the truth came out. Claudio needs to suffer from his mistakes and reckless acts. Claudio grieved for Hero’s death for all along she taught she betrayed him.

As a punishment, as stated in the Final Act, Claudio was made to marry Leonato’s niece, which is supposed to be Hero’s cousin. To his surprise, the masked woman is actually Hero.

References:

http://vccslitonline.cc.va.us/tragedy/aristotle.htm (Defining Tragedy: Aristotelian Tragic Hero Analysis Guide)

http://surabhikaura.hubpages.com/hub/Aristotle-Tragic-Hero-Hamlet-Macbeth