Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare. Written approximately 1598–1599. Studied at KS3 and GCSE.
The play has two romantic plots set in Messina, Sicily. Soldiers return from war: Benedick, the confirmed bachelor, and his commander Don Pedro, along with Claudio — who falls instantly in love with Hero, the governor's daughter. The other plot involves Benedick and Beatrice, who claim to despise each other but are clearly well-matched in wit.
Don Pedro and his friends trick both Benedick and Beatrice into believing that each secretly loves the other. Each falls for the trick completely — and gradually realises their feelings are real.
Don John, Don Pedro's bitter illegitimate brother, plots to destroy Claudio's happiness. He arranges for Claudio to believe he has seen Hero being unfaithful the night before the wedding.
At the wedding ceremony, Claudio publicly shames Hero as unchaste. Her father Leonato believes Claudio. Hero collapses. Friar Francis devises a plan: Hero will pretend to be dead while her innocence is proved. Beatrice tells Benedick she needs him to 'kill Claudio.' He agrees, showing that his love for her is genuine.
Dogberry's incompetent constables have inadvertently captured Don John's accomplices and extracted a confession. Hero's innocence is proved. Claudio is devastated and agrees to marry a 'cousin' of Hero's — who turns out to be Hero herself. Beatrice and Benedick finally, comically, declare their love and agree to marry.
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