DON PEDRO
I will teach you how to humor your
cousin, that she shall fall in love with Benedick.—
and I, with your two helps, will so practice on
Benedick that, in despite of his quick wit and his
queasy stomach, he shall fall in love with Beatrice.
If we can do this, Cupid is no longer an archer; his
glory shall be ours, for we are the only love gods. Go
in with me, and I will tell you my drift. (2.1.371-378)
Don Pedro and Claudio engage in some deception, but rather than tricking him into loving Beatrice, most likely they intend to manipulate Benedick into coming to a conclusion on his own. They can lie, but they can’t assume their lies will persuade: only what’s latent in Benedick can bring him to love Beatrice. Their deception is just helping that process along.
Quote 5
CLAUDIO
Now, if you are a maid, answer to this.
HERO
I talked with no man at that hour, my lord.
DON PEDRO
Why, then, are you no maiden. (4.1.90-92)
In a fit of Shakespearean irony, Hero is condemned as a deceiver for telling the truth.
CLAUDIO
My liege, your Highness now may do me good.
DON PEDRO
My love is thine to teach. Teach it but how,
And thou shalt see how apt it is to learn
Any hard lesson that may do thee good. (1.1.284-287)
Love in this play is also the love between friends – Don Pedro is loyal to Claudio and cares for him. Although Don Pedro is Claudio’s superior in age and status, he’s willing to do what he can in Claudio’s service.