Self-absorption is what drives conflict between characters in Shakespeare's comedy, "Much Ado about Nothing." This conflict could be stopped if these characters simply stopped to think about the big picture every once in a while. In fact, self-absorption is generally the bigger villain than comedy's antagonist, Don John. Claudio & Benedick are two major characters who are afflicted by this self-preoccupation.
             When Don John tricks Claudio into believing that Hero is unfaithful to him, Claudio is heartbroken. The evidence is limited, but he is so busy feeling sorry for himself that he doesn't realize what is actually going on. Rather than learn from mistakes made in the past, Claudio solely focuses on himself and upon the present, as he thinks he understands it. Earlier in the play, Don John convinces Claudio that Don Pedro is attempting to woo Hero. After a few moments of brooding, Claudio learns that this not true. Despite this incident, Claudio shows little hesitation when Don John makes another outrageous claim about Hero. Stricken with grief, Claudio turns against Hero on their wedding day and publicly dishonors her. Hero desperately attempts to convince Claudio that his accusations are false. The reactive Claudio, however, is so blinded by his emotions that he disregards her pleas.
             If Claudio had simply listened to his soon-to-be bride, several conflicts could have been avoided. His self-absorption causes him to make rash decisions that easily could have been prevented. Benedick is another victim of self-absorption. He has managed to convince himself that he will never marry. At first, he does not care about (or at least pretends not to care about) how much he has in common with Beatrice. He tightly grasps onto his conviction that he will never marry, though this secretly goes directly against his desires. "Because I will not do them the wrong to mistrust any [woman], I will do myself the right to trus...