The play is a farce. "Much Ado about Nothing" is about trickery which is meant to create laughter. The play evolves around a group of soldiers. Three of them have just returned from a military campaign. The three are close friends that share a strong male bond; Don Pedro of Arragon, Benedict of Padua and Claudio of Florence. Benedict is secretly in love with Leonato’s niece, Beatrice. However, they always argue and it appears as if they have contempt for each other.
Leonato has a lovely daughter named Hero. Claudio, who had subdued his adversary Don Juan in battle, falls in love with Hero and intends to marry her. She is pure and chaste and all that he desires. Don Juan wanting to stir up trouble tries to get Claudio to believe that Hero loves Don Pedro. When the trick fails he gets one of his men, Borachio, to have a woman who is sweet on him, Margaret, to dress and pretend to be Hero. Margaret appears at the window in Hero's clothing and Borachio makes it look like they are fooling around.
At her wedding the next day a stunned and angry Claudio, who has seen Hero with Borachio, becomes angry and denounces Hero.
"She knows the heat of a luxurious bed”
Her father takes Claudio's word and ostracizes her. There is a lot of drama and crying. The poor girl's life is wrecked. Friar Francis pleads her case of innocence to her father. Claudio thinks that Hero took her life. He feels guilty and wants to make amends. He agrees to marry a relative of Hero's father. On the wedding day he learns he is marrying Hero. He realizes she is innocent and pure. Benedick and Beautrice face their love and all is well. It was “Much Ado about Nothing."
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