Stereotypes

The main stereotype on Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing is that poor people are uneducated, and therefore stupid. One prime example of this is the character Dogberry. He often attempts to sound intelligent by using long words and fancy descriptions, but only makes a fool of himself by misusing words in comical ways. For instance, he says, "Marry, sir, they have committed false report;moreover, they have spoken untruths; secondarily,they are slanders; sixth and lastly, they havebelied a lady; thirdly, they have verified unjustthings; and, to conclude, they are lying knaves." (V.1.202-207) He can't even count correctly. Everyone else in the story, however, does not seem to have this problem, because they are all respectable high-class people, and therefore they are intelligent and wise.

Even though Dogberry is a fool, he can still bring good to those around him. It was because of him and his watchmen (who are also unintelligent) that the secret of Don John's faulty accusation was revealed to the public, and Claudio and the Prince realized they had been tricked. There was one scene before the wedding where Dogberry tried to tell Leonato what he had discovered about Borachio. However, because he was talking so stupidly, Leonato cast him away, saying, "Take their examination yourself and bring it me: Iam now in great haste, as it may appear unto you." (III.V.42-43) If he hadn't, he would have learned of what had happened, and would have been able to save the wedding and Hero from being disgraced. So perhaps what Shakespeare is saying is that even though people may appear to be dumb, they should still be listened to, because sometimes they have something important to share that everyone should be aware of.