Much Ado about Nothing
Play
Much Ado about Nothing begins with Don Pedro,
The Prince of Arragon returning from victory against
his brother, the rebellious Don John. One of Don Pedro's
officers, Claudio has distinguished himself greatly
in this campaign. The rebellious Don John had tried
to take over Arragon. Though beaten, as part of the
truce negotiated, Don John agreed to let Don Pedro rule
Arragon if Don John may also return to his property
in peace.
Don Pedro visits the Governor of Messina, Leonata on
his way home. In Messina, Claudio falls deeply in love
with Hero, Leonata's daughter whilst his officer Benedick,
trades barbs and witty rejoinders with the Leonata's
niece, Beatrice. Leonato notes the merry war of words
these two have... In love with Hero, Claudio seeks Benedick's
opinion, Benedick only teasing him about her, making
Claudio determined to marry her. Knowing Claudio loves
Hero, Don Pedro nobily arranges to court Hero on Claudio's
behalf.
Playing matchmaker, Don Pedro, Leonato and Claudio
decide to try to make ever the bachelor Benedick fall
in love with Beatrice, equally opposed to any nuptials.
Hero too gets in on the act, helping to matchmake with
the aide of her waiting women. The plan is to trick
both Benedict and Beatrice into thinking each has declared
their deep love for the other!
Meanwhile, Claudio's marriage to Hero is planned but
though Don Pedro has made peace with his brother Don
John, Don John, jealous of Claudio's reputation is determined
cause him harm....
That very night during a masked party, Don John mischieviously
allows Claudio to overhear remarks that he believes
Don Pedro, Claudio's friend actually wants Hero for
himself. Devastated, Claudio runs off before Don Pedro
can tell him the good news that Claudio and Hero will
be married. Beatrice finding Claudio, makes him see
reason.
Learning of Claudio's eminent marriage to Hero, Don
John uses a waiting woman of Hero and his aide Borachio
to make it look like Hero is not the fair lady Claudio
and Pedro believe her to be. Claudio takes the bait,
rejecting and denouncing a heartbroken Hero on the altar!
Friar Francis, believing in Hero's virtue, helps the
grief stricken Hero away with her father Leonata's help
who soon afterwards announces the death of his daughter
from grief at being rejected.
Borachio, however has drunkenly boasted not only of
his part in Don John's plan but also about the ducats
he received, his subsequent confession restoring Hero's
virtue and good name. A public apology is demanded by
Leonata from Claudio professing Hero's good virtue.
Additionally, an epitagraph is to be hung at Hero's
grave then sung by Claudio. In return, Leonata allows
Claudio to marry one of his nieces instead of Hero who
just so happens to be an almost exact copy of his dead
daughter.
This niece reveals herself to be none other than Hero,
the planned wedding now marrying two couples, Claudio
and Hero and Benedick and Beatrice. At the wedding Benedick
and Beatrice question why neither declared their love
to each other directly. They learn that they were tricked
but realise they loved each other all along... Meanwhile
news comes that Don John who had gone into hiding has
been taken captured, the play ending with Benedick telling
Pedro, now single amongst his friends to "Get thee
a wife, get thee a wife!"
Contents
Dramatis
Personæ
Act I
Scene I, Scene
II, Scene III
Act II
Scene I, Scene
II, Scene III
Act III
Scene I, Scene
II, Scene III, Scene
IV, Scene V
Act IV
Scene I, Scene
II
Act V
Scene I, Scene
II, Scene III, Scene
IV
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