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How does Shakespeare present Don John in Act 1?
At first, Shakespeare presents Don John as a quiet and reserved character who sits
in the shadow of his more powerful brother - Don Pedro
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I am not of many words, but I thank you”
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This immediately sets Don John apart as being
different and his presence seems to make people feel uncomfortable
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As he talks with
Conrade, he describes how “I cannot hide what I am”
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He may be sick of
hiding due to the fact that it is not his fault that he is bastard - this presents a bitter
and frustrated version of Don John to the reader
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This
could present Don John as being someone who is only comfortable talking to people
who are considered “unimportant” or “lowly”
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Don John goes on to describe how “I had rather be a canker in a hedge than a rose
in his grace”
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This could imply that he
is out of place and hard to get rid of in his family - the black sheep
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It could also show how Don
Pedro’s family struggle - or are unwilling - to accept Don John due to him being
illegitimate
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Don John boldly and unapologetically describes himself as a “plain-dealing villain”
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The phrase “plain-dealing villain”
is also a bit of an oxymoron, as how could a criminal be honest in their behaviours?
This presents Don John as a confused man who has suffered a lot for something
that wasn’t his fault
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This includes Claudio’s love of Hero,
which he is appears envious of (“That young start-up hath all the glory of my
overthrow”)

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