Much Ado About Nothing

Plot Synopsis

Act 1

Leonato, Governor of Messina, welcomes Don Pedro, Prince of Aragon, and his soldiers after their victory in a recent war. Beatrice and Benedick, two long-time witty adversaries, exchange a cold welcome. Claudio, a young soldier, spots Leonato’s daughter, Hero, and declares his dreams to marry her. Upon hearing about his intent to marry, Don Pedro makes a plan to woo Hero on behalf of Claudio at a party later that evening. Meanwhile, Don John, Don Pedro’s disgraced brother, expresses his displeasure to his followers, Conrade and Borachio. Borachio tells Don John of Claudio’s interest in marrying Hero, and they plan to spoil the nuptials.

Act 2

At the party, the attendees play a blindfolded game and exchange flirtatious remarks with unknown partners. Beatrice unknowingly insults Benedick. After the game concludes, Don John tricks Claudio into believing that Don Pedro has wooed Hero for himself instead of helping Claudio as promised. When Benedick and Don Pedro come to unite Claudio and Hero, they clear up the misunderstanding and the two are engaged. Afterwards, Leonato, Don Pedro, Hero, and Claudio devise a plan to trick Beatrice and Benedick into falling in love.  

Borachio devises a plan to ruin Claudio’s wedding: He will convince Margaret, Hero’s waiting woman, to wear Hero’s garments and to wait for him at Hero’s bedroom window. In the dark of the night, he will appear, pretending to be an unknown lover, and call Margaret Hero. When witnessed by Claudio and Don Pedro, this will prove to them that Hero is disloyal. 

In Leonato’s orchard, Don Pedro, Leonato, and Claudio stage a conversation for a hidden Benedick. They claim Beatrice is sick with love for Benedick, but wouldn't dare admit her feelings directly to him. After setting their trap, the men leave, and Benedick swears to return Beatrice’s love in full. 

Act 3:

Hero and Ursula meet in the orchard with Beatrice listening nearby. They set the same trap for Beatrice, who swears to requite Benedick's love. Elsewhere, Don John informs Don Pedro and Claudio of Hero’s infidelity and assures them he can prove it to them. Dogberry, Messina’s Master Constable, and Verges, his partner, inform the Watch and Sexton of their responsibilities. While on duty, the Watch overhears Borachio and Conrade discussing the plot to frame Hero. Dogberry has the men arrested.

INTERMISSION

Act 3 Continued:

As Leonato sets up the wedding, Dogberry arrives. He tells Leonato that he wishes to have Leonato examine two criminals, Borachio and Conrade. Leonato is busy with the wedding, so he charges Dogberry to examine the men himself and return their report. 

Act 4: 

At the wedding, Claudio accuses Hero of being unfaithful. Hero and Beatrice deny this, saying Hero has always been loyal to Claudio. Don Pedro confirms he saw Hero with another man the night before, and Hero faints from the shock. Claudio and Don Pedro leave, and Leonato expresses his grief over the destroyed nuptials. Antonio, Leonato’s brother, suggests that they tell everyone Hero has died of grief while they figure out how to prove her innocence. Beatrice and Benedick discuss the slander that has taken place and admit their love for one another. Benedick asks Beatrice to give him a task to prove his love to her and she asks him to kill Claudio. After hesitating, Benedick agrees to challenge Claudio to a duel and leaves. 

Dogberry and Verges bring Borachio and Conrade to the Sexton to be interviewed. The Watch testifies that he overheard the whole plot that framed Hero as unloyal, and the men confirm the deed. The Sexton reveals that Don John has fled that morning, and leaves to tell Leonato of the interview. 

Act 5

Leonato, Antonio, Claudio and Don Pedro argue over Hero’s death: Claudio claiming his accusations were true and Leonato blaming him for his cruelty at such a public event. As Leonato and Antonio leave, Benedick arrives to challenge Claudio to a duel. Dogberry enters with Borachio and Conrade. Don Pedro asks why they are arrested and Borachio retells the plot to destroy Hero’s reputation. Upon hearing the truth, Claudio and Don Pedro realize their cruel mistake. Leonato returns, and Claudio asks for forgiveness. Leonato says he will be satisfied if Claudio agrees to marry Hero’s Cousin. Claudio agrees and the wedding is planned for the next morning. Benedick meets Beatrice to tell her he challenged Claudio. Ursula enters and tells both about how Hero has been proven innocent and asks them to follow her to Leonato’s house. 

Leonato and his family await Claudio’s arrival. He tells Antonio to act as if Hero is his daughter that Claudio is to marry, a trick they are playing on him to test his repentence. Claudio agrees to marry the woman of Leonato’s choosing, and upon sealing his vows, discovers that the woman is indeed Hero. The family explains her death was a ruse. Benedick then asks to marry Beatrice, and both find out they were tricked into giving up their bitter war against each other. Claudio and Hero present love letters Beatrice and Benedick have written for each other, and they confess; while it was a set up, they truly do love each other. All agree to marry and Benedick asks the company to celebrate.