Much Ado About Nothing Summary

Act I, scene I A messenger brings word to Leonato that Don Pedro of Aragon is passing through Messina on his return from a victorious battle. Then Beatrice asks if Benedick is part of the company, but then hides her interest in the news. Shortly the company of Don Pedro, Claudio, and Benedick arrives and Beatrice and Benedick trade clever remarks with one another, both professing that love is only for fools. Meanwhile Claudio, attracted …

…his daughter, Hero. Benedick asks the friar also to marry him and Beatrice. The women come forward masked. Claudio declares himself husband to the woman he stands beside, and Hero reveals herself. Beatrice and Benedick begin to argue about whether they really love one another, but their friends have proof, poems they have written declaring their love. They kiss and all are joined together in a dance to celebrate the marriages about to take place.