The Device of a Masked Dance in Act Two Scene One of...

The Device of a Masked Dance in Act Two Scene One of William Shakespeares Much Ado About Nothing Shakespeare uses the device of a masked dance in Act II Scene I for many reasons, mainly for the entertainment value of an Elizabethan audience these were the people Shakespeare intended the play to be viewed by, and also to dramatically further the plot. Using a masked dance allows for many characters to be in the same place at the same time, allowing all of the different social classes to mix and interact, something which would not normally have happened in Elizabethan times. This would have had a pleasing effect on the groundlings watching the performance and also one of amusement to the†¦show more content†¦When he is told by Borachio that Hero has been unfaithful to him he says Goodbye Hero, which is implying that he is going to leave her as he believes what Borachio is telling him. The audience will be able to se form this form this part of the scene just how fickle Claudio is and how easily he can be miss-lead by other people, even if they are not his close friends. A masked dance scene would involve lots of music and dancing, laughter and banter. All of these things are the kind of factors Shakespeare has intended to use to satisfy all corners of his Elizabethan audience, form the groundlings to the upper classes. The groundlings would go to the theatre, pay a very small fee, and stand at the front of the courtyard and may not even have a good view of the stage, therefore they would only go to be entertained and have a laugh, where as the aristocracy would pay a higher fee, get a better view, with seats, and would expect to experience something with a little more intellect to it. For example, clever wit and complex plots and sub-plots. The aristocracy among the audience would be particularly entertained by the development of the plot and the misunderstanding that take place during the masked dance. The wit and sophisticated humour would also entertain the upper classes as this would be the kind of