Lying: I Suppose Sometimes it's Fine...

In Much Ado About Nothing, Don John, Don Pedro, Claudio, and Leonato all engage in some form of lying. In Don John’s case, lying was not morally justified, considering his malicious motivations. He desperately wants to ruin Claudio’s chances of marrying Hero. Don John even says “Only to despite them, I will endeavor anything” (II.2.25). He pretty much says he will go to any lengths to ruin Claudio’s dream; Claudio, the war hero, who defeated Don John’s army; Claudio, who is about to marry the daughter of a very influential man in Messina.
Don Pedro, Claudio, and Leonato all lie also, but with different intentions. Theirs was to create love, not destroy it. These men’s lies were meant to help a person, which in turn makes them justified. Loudly, so Benedick will hear, Don Pedro exclaims, “What is it you told me of today, that your niece Beatrice was in love with Signior Benedick?” (II.3.72-73). Leonato and Claudio both go along with the charade, hoping to trick Benedick into falling in love with Beatrice. In truth, Beatrice despises Benedick, but that should soon change.
In real life, the same system of lying applies: if lying was done with ill-intentions, the lies aren’t justified. If lying was done with the best intentions in mind, lying is ok. For instance, if one person lies, telling police they’re not sure who murdered their neighbor, when in fact it was this person, the lying is completely unjustified. But, if a mother were to tell a child that Santa Clause exists, the lying is acceptable. After all, the mom was only trying to make the child’s holiday more special. Clearly, lying has an entire spectrum, ranging from little white lies, to despicable deceit. Only intentions separate the good and the bad.