Much Ado About Nothing: A Summary

Act I

Scene I
     A messenger reads a letter, telling the people of Messina of the Prince of Arragon, Don Pedro's return victorious of the war between Arragon and an unspecified country. After, the messenger's discourse between himself and Leonato and the people of Messina, Don Pedro arrives on the scene with a happy heart. Leonato, of course, kindheartedly welcomes the brave prince and the loyal soldiers into his household. In this scene, the reader realizes that Benedick and Beatrice are in a 'merry-war' of sorts with one another and each casts words of vile and ill-intent on one other. After the prior scene, Claudio recounts of his affection towards Hero to Benedick and Benedick, being the man who hath no intention to marry frowns upon the very fact that his own friend speaks of love. Don Pedro later joins this argument and sends blessings on Claudio's proclaimed love for Hero.

Scene II
     In this scene, Leonato talks of Don Pedro and Leonato's earlier discourse to Antonio, his brother, but he misinterprets the conversation and believes that the Prince is the one in love with Hero, his daughter. He further explains that Don Pedro is going to ask for Hero's hand at the ball.

Scene III
      In this scene, we learn of Don John's ill-intent and treasonous, villainy misbehavior towards his very brother, Don Pedro. He speaks of a plot, in which on the night of the ball he tells Claudio that the Prince is trying to 'woo' Hero for himself instead of their previous arrangement where the Prince would offer Hero to Claudio for the dance.

Act II

Scene I
       Leonato and Beatrice talk of Don John's 'melancholy disposition'. Thence Beatrice mocks Benedick's proud yet joyous attitude and compares it to Don John's sad yet serious attitude. Beatrice and Benedick, then, have a quarrel. Basically, the jest/essence of this entire scene is the ball's happenings. On the night of the ball, Don Pedro takes fair Hero's hand, he is masked and begins to dance with Hero. As they dance, Don John comes onto the scene spreading ill-will and misconception in the mind of Claudio. He states that the Prince only wants Hero to himself and Claudio falls for his evil plot, having a bad-impression of the Prince in his mind and heart. The Prince then makes known his intention and follows through with the plan of getting consent from Hero's father, Leonato for the marriage between Hero and Claudio to take place.
        Benedick, on the other hand, decides to engage in discussion with Beatrice, he too is masked. Instead, however, of him telling Beatrice his identity, he keeps the disguise. Beatrice not knowing Benedick is the very man she is conversing with, slanders his name and calls him a jester. He doesn't take this well and feels ashamed and hurt by her harsh words and refuses to speak in her presence when called by the Prince.

Scene II
        Don John and Borachio displeased with the whole direction in which things are going come up with a plot to prevent Claudio and Hero from marrying one another. They talk of making Margaret, Hero's gentlewoman, dress in Hero's garments and have sexual intercourse with Borachio and of Don John bringing Claudio and Don Pedro to watch the whole scene play out.

Scene III
        Don Pedro, in this scene, converses with Claudio and Leonato, knowing very well that Benedick is hearing every word of the discourse. They talk of Beatrice loving Benedick, which, of course, is not true. Benedick, not knowing this begins to question his whole perception of love and in turn decides to return Beatrice's 'unrequited' feelings.


Act III


       Hero, Margaret and Ursula, in this scene, talk of Benedick's love for Beatrice, which too is false, knowing that she is just inches away hearing the whole conversation. Beatrice after hearing this, begins to insight these feelings in her heart and decides to also return Benedick's 'unrequited' feelings for her.

Scene II

        Don John executes his plan, he talks of Hero's disloyalty towards Claudio and further goes on to bring the Prince and Claudio to the 'scene of the crime'.

Scene III

           In this scene, the watch hears of Borachio's conspiracy to the Prince and Cluadio. They hear exactly how they executed the whole plan, how they had brought Claudio and the Prince to watch the supposed 'Hero' have sexual intercourse with another man a day before the wedding. The watch then captures them and takes them to the court.