Much Ado About Nothing Synopsis

Two gentleman of Arragon, Benedick and Claudio, are in love with Beatrice and her cousin Hero, of Messina. But Benedick hides his love in sharp wit, and Claudio is shy about proposing. His sovereign, Don Pedro, offers to woo Hero for Claudio. Don John, Don Pedro's bastard brother, plots to spoil the match and humiliate his brother.

This plot fails. Benedick and Beatrice are shamed by their friends into admitting their love for each other. But wicked Don John makes Claudio believe that Hero has a secret lover. Claudio stops the wedding, the interruption causing Hero to faint. She is advised to fake death, and Benedick agrees to avenge her wrongs by killing Claudio. Two stupid constables, Dogberry and Verges, untangle the mixup; Claudio marries Hero disguised as the governor's niece; and the wicked Don John is captured. Even Benedick and Beatrice astound their friends by deciding to marry.