Final answer:
The excerpt from the play showcases the theme of deception by revealing the characters' planned manipulation of Benedick's perception, which aligns with Shakespeare's exploration of how appearances can be misleading.
Step-by-step explanation:
These lines develop a theme about deception by demonstrating how characters in the play manipulate others' perceptions through strategic acts. In the quoted excerpt, the characters orchestrate a scene to persuade Benedick of Beatrice's supposed feelings for him. This plot is an example of the theme of deception that is central to the play's narrative and resonates with the underlying message that appearances can be deceiving. Such deceptions may lead to comedic outcomes, misunderstandings, or personal revelations, which are all elements utilized by Shakespeare in his works to explore various facets of human nature and social interaction.