The Play

Claudio, deceived by Don John, accuses Hero
Painting by: Marcus Stone, 1861

Much Ado About Nothing is one of Shakespeare's most well known comedies and was first printed and acted in 1600. The play takes place in Messina at a house owned by Leonato during which the prince and his companions come to visit. One of the young officers, Claudio, wishes to marry Hero, Leonato's daughter. However, Don Jon wishes to ruin the engagement celebrations and entices some of the men to spread a rumor that Hero was not an innocent virgin. Claudio falls for the lie and breaks the engagement. Hero is devastated and wishes to restore her honor and reclaim Claudio's love. A new scheme takes place in which Claudio is fooled into believing Hero has died from shame and he is convinced the only way to make up for the death of Hero is to marry her cousin. After a lavish burial ceremony Claudio is brought to the courtyard to be married. A veiled Hero is brought before Claudio and they are wed. Claudio is overjoyed to learn that Hero is not dead and is happy to learn of Don John's deceit, which cleared Hero's reputation. Also, during the course of the play, Claudio's companion Benedick and Hero's cousin Beatrice go from rivals who constantly tease and poke at each other, to realizing they have always loved each other and are wed as well.   


Much Ado About Nothing



"Characters In Much Ado About Nothing: Shakespeare Character List." Shakespeare Resources: Modern English Shakespeare Translations. Web. 24 Feb. 2011. <http://www.nosweatshakespeare.com/characters/much-ado-about-nothing.htm>.

"Much Ado About Nothing." TheatreHistory.com. Web. 23 Feb. 2011. <http://www.theatrehistory.com/british/muchado001.html>.