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He's a self-satisfied constable in Messina. He believes the job to be one of extreme importance , but the quote 'for I cannot see how sleeping should offend' clearly shows his contrasting work ethic and beliefs. This could possibly be Shakespeare's jab at the watch. It's safe to say that despite his common misuse of language, he is a law abiding citizen, and that there is nothing evil or cruel about him.

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The name of the character is the Elizabethan common name for the fruit of the common dogwood, considered inferior to other edible berries.

In Dogberry's case, it is almost as if he's someone that could contribute to society but people tend to overlook him, just like the Dogwood berry, edible but considered inferior. Gives him an underdog quality.

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1. Malapropisms

Shakespeare's planting of malapropism throughout the play is to induce humour. It shows that Dogberry is using words he simply cannot understand which shows that he's not the brightest. He is longwinded and seems as if he has swallowed a dictionary. However, that does not work in his favour as he often uses the wrong words in the wrong place. This often changes the meaning of of what he’s saying. Only due to our knowledge of the play, are the audience able to decipher what he actually means. Some examples of this include:

“…Only the learned writer to sit down our excommunication, and meet me at the jail.” (Act 3, Scene 5)

Here Dogberry mistakes ‘communication’ for ‘excommunication’. Excommunication means the action of officially excluding someone from participation in the sacraments and services of the Christian church and communication means the exchanging of information.

“Dost thou not suspect my place? Dost thou not suspect my years?” (Act 4, Scene 2)

Here Dogberry mistakes ‘respect’ for ‘suspect’. Suspect means to doubt the genuineness or truth of and respect means a feeling of deep admiration and value for someone or something.

“O villain! Thou wilt be condemned into everlasting redemption for this.“ (Act 4, Scene 2)

Here Dogberry mistakes ‘damnation’ for ‘redemption’. Damnation means the condemnation to eternal punishment in hell and redemption means the action of saving or being saved from sin, error, or evil.

2. More sophisticated language

Dogberry tries to speak eloquently, possibly to try and be perceived as someone from an upper social class, but fails to do so successfully.
The effect could be ironical, because the fact that Dogberry is a watchman to begin with means he's from a lower status, regardless of how well-spoken he is. People with higher status would not be watchmen.

His attempt at using sophisticated language include:

a. More complex vocabulary/malapropism
"Our watch, my lord, have indeed comprehended two aspicious persons, and we would have them this morning examined before your worship.”

From act 3, scene 5
The word 'aspicious' simply does not exist! Generally it’s perceived to be ‘auspicious’. But even that is an incorrect use of the word. The correct word would be ‘suspicious’.  Also, the word 'comprehended' is meant to be 'apprehended'.

b. Biblical allusions

"they that touch pitch will be defiled."               quoting from the Apocrypha [Ecclesiasticus 13:1] (Greek version of The Old Testament)

from Act 3 Scene 3 (line 54)

Individuals of higher social status had a tendency to be highly religious and used a lot of religious lexis in their speech.

eg: Beatrice - "Why then, God forgive me." (Act 4 Scene 1, line 279)
eg: Leonato- "As freely, son, as God did give her me." (Act 4 Scene 1, line 25)

c. Creating new proverbs/phrases

"the ewe that will not hear her lamb when it baas will never answer a calf when he bleats"

from Act 3 Scene 3 (line 65)

This is not a real proverb. Dogberry tries to creates this proverb himself and incorporates it into his dialogue.

d. Philosophical references

"To be a well-favoured man is the gift of fortune, but to write and read comes by nature"

from Act 3 Scene 3 (line 14)

Concept of nature vs. nurture has always been a popular dicussion in Philosophy.
Dogberry speaks of it possibly to impress, once again trying to show that he's well-read.

"As they say, when the age is in, the wit is out"

from Act 3 Scene 5, line 33

Dogberry means 'ale' instead of 'age'. Ale means beer. More commonly known version of the phrase is ‘When the wine is in, the wit is out.’ What this means is when you are drunk, you say things you really think or believe.

e. Foreign language

"Palabras, neighbour Verges"

from Act3 Scene5 line 17

The Spanish expression 'pocas palabras' meaning 'few words' was popular at the time and directly translated, ‘palabras’ means ‘word’. Not only is Dogberry not using the full expression but he also has no reason to use the expression in this moment.

"Here's that shall drive some of them to a non-com."

from Act3 Scene5 line 59

There is a malapropism here. Non-com is not a word. Dogberry means 'nonplus'. ‘Nonplus’ means a state of being very surprised and confused.

3. Misunderstandings

Dogberry often mistake others' insults as compliments. Creates humour and shows his foolishness.

eg. Mistakes 'tedious' as a compliment, perhaps thinking it means 'generous'. (His conversation with Leonato)

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1. Satirical purpose

Shakespeare appears to be poking mild fun at the amateur police forces of his day.
Police were citizens who spent a fixed number of nights per year fulfilling an obligation to protect the public peace, a job for which they were, by and large, unqualified.

Could relate this to how police incompetence is still a global issue today.

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2. Comic relief

Dogberry is the only character that consistently makes the audience laugh.
Other characters are usually serious, only funny sometimes
eg: Benedick's "world must be peopled" soliloquy

Audience anticipating laughter upon seeing Dogberry's entrance.

3. Structural balance

Dogberry usually enters right after tense and dark moments.
eg: right after Benedick challenges Claudio to a duel
eg: after Hero's shaming + right after Beatrice requests that Benedick "kill Claudio"
eg: right after Claudio and Don Pedro is tricked by Don John into believing Hero is "disloyal"

If Dogberry was absent from the play, the anatomy and genre of the play would be threatened as it would be more of a tragedy rather than comedy.

4. Reveals the trickery of Borachio and Don John

Shakespeare has allocated Dogberry, a foolish and unreliable character, to be the one who apprehended Borachio and Don John.

Showing how Dogberry is somewhat of an underdog

Effect of this:
- Audience feel this festering suspense as they wait and hope for the truth to be revealed.

Satisfaction/relief in the audience achieved once truth is revealed

- Embodies this part of Borachio's speech in Act 5 Scene 1:

"What your wisdoms could not discover, these shallow fools have brought to light"

Act 5 Scene 1, line 225

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Conrad has angrily responded to Dogberry with “Away, you are an ass, you are an ass”. Dogberry, infuriated that anyone should insult him, delivers this indignant comic speech filled with verbal misuse, saying “suspect” instead of “respect” and “piety” instead of “impiety.” Dogberry’s determined insistence that he be “writ down an ass” is comical, because instead of asking that the sexton note that Conrad has insulted Dogberry, Dogberry contributes to his own slander by insisting that the sexton put in writing that Dogberry is “an ass.”

Also, shows the importance of reputation.

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1. Don Pedro and Claudio do not take Dogberry seriously as they mock him in Act 5 Scene 1 (line 208)

Dogberry:  "Marry, sir, they have committed false reports. Moreover they have spoken untruths; secondarily they are slanders; sixth and lastly they have been belied a lady; thirdly they have verified unjust things and, to conclude, they are lying knaves."

Their response to this:

Don Pedro: "Firstly, thirdly, sixth and lastly.." (imitating Dogberry)

Claudio: "Rightly reasoned and in his own division"

Don Pedro: "This learned constable is too cunning to be understood."

"Rightly reasoned", "Learned constable" and "too cunning" are sarcastic because the reality is quite the opposite.

Don Pedro and Claudio are using sarcasm to 'compliment' Dogberry, as if it's what Dogberry wants to hear as he tries to use more sophisticated language to be seen as higher social class.

2. Leonato

Leonato dismisses Dogberry in Act 3 Scene 5, where Dogberry tries to tell him about the arrest of Conrad and and Borachio,but he is "in great haste"

Leonato does not take Dogberry seriously either.