For my project, I wrote an essay about how a case could be made to claim that Dogberry (the ridiculous constable) could be intelligent and know what he is doing all along. I'm not saying I support this posistion, but I wanted to see if I could make an argument for it. :) Sorry it's so long in a blog post...
Dogberry's Intelligence
In Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing,” the character Dogberry is often viewed as the honest fool who manages to set all the deceptions to rights. However, if one takes a careful look at Dogberry, there are several signs of his intelligence. For example, many of Dogberry’s malapropisms use the exact antonym of the word he supposedly intends. In the real world, Shakespeare most likely wrote this intentionally just for humor’s sake. However, if we look at Dogberry as a person rather than a figment of Shakespeare’s imagination, a case can be made for him actually possessing superior intelligence and knowing exactly what he is doing all along.
First, we should ask why he would pretend to be foolish if he really were clever. Perhaps this man was simply hiding behind a foolish persona in order to unmask the constant deception around him. Maybe if he actually behaved as intelligent as he really was, people would have been more on guard around him. For example, if Dogberry had been a typical, sensible constable with vigilant, sensible watchmen, Borachio may have not been so loose-tongued in disclosing his crime in the open night air.
Moreover, let us consider specific examples of his intelligence. Dogberry uses wordplays of puns, analogies, and metaphors in ways just as intelligent as any other character in the play. For example, Dogberry tells the Watch, “…if you do take a thief…let him show himself what he is and steal out of your company” (3.3.57-59). This is a play on words that could just have easily come out of the quick witted Benedick’s mouth. Soon after that speech, Dogberry uses a clever analogy using an ewe and a lamb (3.3.68-71). This analogy not only represents clarity of thought, but also an understanding of human nature.
Sixth and lastly, we should look closer at his malapropisms. I already mentioned his ability to pick the perfect “wrong” word when speaking, but some of his word mix-ups could be interpreted to have a deeper meaning. If, in some instances, Dogberry actually meant to use the word he chose, the entire meaning of some of his sentences are different. For example, when Dogberry speaks to Leonato about his companion Verges, he says, “…his wits are not so blunt as, God help, I would desire they were…” (3.5.10-11). We assume that Dogberry misspoke, and meant to say “sharp.” However, let us consider the possibility that he intentionally used the word “blunt” to show another aspect of human nature and society. At first, we believe that we wish everyone were smarter. However, there are some people who we would almost wish they were less clever. For example, I am sure nobody minded a simple-minded servant or slave. In “Much Ado About Nothing,” Margaret the gentlewoman was more sharp of wit and tongue than Beatrice approved; Beatrice wished Margaret were more blunt of wit. So, was Dogberry being very foolish or very wise in this sentence?
Thirdly, we should consider the way in which all the deceptions come to light. It appears as though Dogberry simply “stumbles” across the truth in a haphazard way. In the context of the real world, however, this does not add up. There are several very bright minds in the play who fail to figure out the actual truth. Is it very likely that Dogberry the bumbling idiot would be able to discover and unravel the evil plots? Probably not, and this again points to the likelihood of Dogberry being a very clever man.
To conclude, Dogberry’s character was most likely intended by Shakespeare to be a very foolish and humorous character who somehow manages to save the day. However, Shakespeare’s intelligence creeps into Dogberry’s lines and actions, giving enough evidence to make a reasonable argument that Dogberry is much more intelligent than he appears.
-Victoria
No comments:
Post a Comment