Much Ado About Nothing has lying of two forms, lying for yourself and lying for another. You can't ever be completely sure that lying is justified or not, but in general, if you lie for the benefit of another, it is justified. Lying for another is seen when Don Pedro, Leonato, and Claudio make sure they are overheard by Benedict while they are talking about Beatrice's love. Although Beatrice never once said, "O sweet Benedick! God give me patience" (II.3.145-146), the lie is meant to make Beatrice and Benedick happy. There is no malacious intent here, only an acceptable lie. It is also justified to lie if the lie will protect another. In McCarthyism, lying to keep someone off of a black list was completely justified (Evan S. also gives a really good example of the Holocaust; people lying to hide Jews). If the intent is to help another, lying is justified.
In MAAN there are also selfish lies. Don John, who seeks revenge upon Claudio who defeated him in battle, lies in order to harm him. Don John, seeking to trick Claudio into refusing Hero announces, "I came hither to tell you, and, circumstances shortened (for she has been too long a-talking of), the lady is disloyal" (III.2.91-93). This lie is for only the benefit of Don John. It is a harmful lie and one that is can not be considered moral. However, this is not always true. Going back to the Holocaust, a Jew that denied being a Jew (a lie solely for him or herself) is justified because it saves him or herself and does not harm another. Lying for yourself is justified if its purpose is not malicious, but rather to protect yourself.
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6 comments:
Wow my blog was quoted (or at least mentioned)! :)
So does lying for yourself always apply?
What about accountability in our current government? What about all of the cover-ups? would they have happened if people didn't lie to save themselves from being punished?
Besides from those thoughts, I agree with your thoughts Silas. :)
I guess that what your saying is that lying is okay if it is for a personal gain, but only if it is for the betterment of yourself? Doesn't this just mean that lying for yourself is bad no matter what because it only benefits you?
Maybe, just a thought. You have a very nice analysis though.
I agree with you that there are different forms of lying and that they are considered moral or not depending whether the intent is malicious or not. I agree and disagree with this because it could be hurting somebody who does not know the truth behind the lie. Beatrice and Benedick may not want to love each other and will be hurt by the lie. I like you ideas i just think they're incomplete.
your point about lying for others is interesting, and I wish it were true. Although your example of this statement supports this thought, there are countless counterexamples; some even in the play. One could argue that by wooing Margaret but calling her Hero with the knowledge others would see, Barachio was lying for Don John. That, however, was not right or kind. aha!
Just kidding Silas, I like your ideas though, they are very noble sounding.
Silas,
Nice post, I really like the McCarthyism example that you used, because I feel that it ties in perfectly. Sometimes it is necessary to lie, no matter how bad people may find it, sometimes it is warranted, just depends on the situation. This play gives both sides of the situation, which gives readers an idea of when it is O.K. to lie, and when it is a horrible idea. It all depends on the surrounding evidence, which makes it hard to tell where to draw the line. Good examples.
-Ben
You bring up a great point, Ive never thought of separating lies into ones that benefit oneself and one that is made to benefit another but it definatly applies. haha, I like the part about McCathyism, but it is true, I would classify lieing to hid a jew in the Holocaust completly ethical, although the people looking for jews might not think so. I guess its just up to the individual to determine for themself f a lie in justified, especially cause the line between the two is so thin.
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