How is language presented as being central to power in Act 1 Scene 3? 
What significance does Don John's reference to music have in this scene? 

In this scene Don John says, 'If I had my mouth, I would bite;' by saying if I had my mouth it shows that he has problems communicating and by further saying I would bite it suggests that if he could communicate he would use it and not positively as biting is aggressive. As he feels 'muzzled' and therefore cannot speak it retracts his element of power because to hold power you must be able to enforce it upon others which, without words, is near impossible. Camille Wells Slights said, '...and language as an articulation of power.' implying that a persons ability to orate impacts on the power that they possess - as seen in Don John's character. It can also be seen that in both quotes he refers to things that would usually be associated with a dog, 'muzzled' and 'bite', by doing this it could be comparing him to the likes of a dog who has no will of its own because of it's inability to communicate but also that a dogs allegiance is to its owner which could suggest that Don John cannot lead but must follow - which could be seen by the fact his brother is the Prince of Araggon who overshadows him. Due to his inability to articulate he then refuses to speak at all, 'I have decreed not to sing in my cage.' the fact that he feels caged could imply that he feels trapped and secluded. Also there is reference to music as he will not, 'sing'. This could symbolise his emotion at his loss of words because when Beatrice learns of Benedick's love, in her final paragraph of Act 3 Scene 1 she begins speaking in a form similar to that of a sonnet (traditionally associated with love) and the rhythm gives musicality to her words, presenting it like a song. So Don John's refusal to sing could show his lack of love because he cannot articulate and therefore he feels trapped in a play that is full of love.