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Much
Ado About Nothing
Much Ado About Nothing is a comedy by William Shakespeare. First published
in 1600, it was likely first performed in the winter of 1598-1599,
and it remains one of Shakespeare's most enduring plays on stage. Stylistically,
it shares many characteristics with modern romantic comedies including
two pairs of lovers: the romantic leads, Claudio and Hero, and their
comic counterparts, Benedick and Beatrice.
SYNOPSIS
At Messina, Don Pedro, an Italian prince from Aragon and his deputies,
Claudio and Benedick have just returned from a successful military
campaign. Leonato, the governor of Messina, welcomes them for passing
by the city and invites them to stay for a month.
Benedick and Leonato's niece, Beatrice, longtime adversaries, carry
on their "merry war of words". Claudio’s feelings for
Hero, Leonato's young daughter, are kindled on his seeing her, and
Claudio soon announces to Benedick his intention to court her. Benedick
tries to dissuade his friend, but is unsuccessful in the face of Don
Pedro’s encouragement. While Benedick teases Claudio, Benedick
swears that he will never get married saying,
That a woman conceived me, I thank her; that she brought me up, I
likewise give her most humble thanks: but that I will have a recheat
winded in my forehead, or hang my bugle in an invisible baldrick, all
women shall pardon me. Because I will not do them the wrong to mistrust
any, I will do myself the right to trust none; and the fine is, for
the which I may go the finer, I will live a bachelor. (Act 1 Scene
1)
To that Don Pedro says, "I shall see thee, ere I die, look pale
with love," (Act 1 Scene 1). Later, Don Pedro says "Well,
as time shall try: 'In time the savage bull/ doth bear the yoke," (Act
1 Scene 1). This exchange sets up the comical premise for the play.
A masquerade ball is planned in celebration, giving a disguised Don
Pedro the opportunity to woo Hero on Claudio’s behalf. Don John
uses this situation to get revenge on his brother Don Pedro and Claudio
by telling young Claudio that Don Pedro is actually wooing Hero for
himself. Claudio then becomes furious at Don Pedro and confronts him.
The misunderstanding is quickly resolved and Claudio wins Hero's hand
in marriage.
Don Pedro and his men, bored at the prospect of waiting a week for
the matrimonial ceremony to take place, harbor a plan to matchmake
Beatrice and Benedick. The men, led by Don Pedro, proclaim Beatrice’s
love for Benedick while knowing he is eavesdropping on their conversation.
The women, led by Hero, do the same likewise to Beatrice. Struck by
the "revelations", Beatrice and Benedick, neither willing
to bear the reputation of pride and scornfulness, each decide to requite
the love of the other.
Meanwhile Don John, Don Pedro's bastard brother, is a malcontent who
plots to ruin Claudio and Hero’s wedding plans by casting aspersions
upon Hero’s character. His follower Borachio courts Margaret,
Hero's chambermaid, calling her “Hero”, at Hero’s
open bedroom window while Don John leads Don Pedro and Claudio to spy
below. The latter two, mistaking Margaret for Hero, are convinced by
what is evidence of Hero's infidelity.
The next day, during the wedding at the church, Claudio climactically
refuses to marry Hero. He and Don Pedro humiliate Hero publicly before
a stunned congregation. The two leave brusquely, leaving the rest in
shock.
Hero, who has fainted from shock, revives after Don Pedro and Claudio
leave, only to be reprimanded by her father. The presiding Friar interrupts,
believing Hero to be innocent, and he convinces the family to feign
Hero's death in order to exact the truth and Claudio’s remorse.
Leonato and Antonio, Hero's uncle, subsequently blame Don Pedro and
Claudio for Hero’s death, and both challenge Claudio to duels.
Benedick, forcefully prompted by Beatrice, does the same.
Unbeknownst to everyone, however, on the night of Don John's treachery,
the local Watch has apprehended Borachio and his ally Conrade. Despite
the Watch's comic ineptness (headed by constable Dogberry, a master
of malapropisms), they have overheard the duo discussing their evil
plans. The Watch arrest them and eventually obtain the villains' confession,
whilst informing Leonato of Hero's innocence. Though Don John has meanwhile
fled the city, a force is sent to capture him. Claudio, though maintaining
he made an honest mistake, is repentant; he agrees to not only post
a proper epitaph for Hero, but to marry a substitute, Hero's cousin,
in her place.
During Claudio’s second wedding, however, as the dancers enter,
the "cousin" is unmasked as Hero herself, to a most surprised
and gratified Claudio. An impromptu dance is announced. Beatrice and
Benedick, prompted by their friends’ interference, finally confess
their love for each other. As the play draws to a merry close, a messenger
arrives with news of Don John’s capture – but his punishment
is postponed another day so that the couples can enjoy their newfound
happiness. |
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