Much Ado About Nothing Summary - Act 1-5

ACT 1 - SUMMARY

In the Italian town of Messina, Leonato prepares to welcome home the soldiers who are returning from a battle. They include Don Pedro of Aragon, who is  highly respected, as well as a brave young soldier named Claudio, who has won much honor in the fighting. Leonato’s daughter, Hero, and her cousin, Beatrice, accompany him. Beatrice asks about Signor Benedick. Beatrice decides to mock Benedick. a messenger from Don Pedro defends Benedick as an honorable man, but Leonato explains that Beatrice and Benedick carry on their witty arguements. Don Pedro announces to his men that Leonato has allowed them to stay for a month. Leonato and Antonio, his elder brother, meet and discuss Leonato's guests. Don Pedro told Claudio he loved Hero and would acknowledge it that night at the dance.

Conrad approaches Don John and asks him why he is so sad looking. Don John tells him that he prefers to be the way he is. When Conrad points out that since Don John only recently was re gathered with Don Pedro, he should try to seem happy. Don John says in the play, "I had rather be a canker in a hedge than a rose in his grace"

Borachio, who is a friend of Don John, arrives and tells Don John that he overheard his brother and Claudio plotting a marriage with Hero. He said that he had hid behind a wall and listened to them talking about how Don Pedro would woo Hero and then give her to Claudio. 

ACT TWO - SUMMARY 

Leonato tells Hero to accept the Prince's offer if he comes to see her. Also Beatrice gives Hero some advice about how to accept for the Prince's answer and how to make him wait before discussing the answer. Everyone at the dance arrives wearing masks, Don Pedro goes over to Hero and asks her if she wants to dance, she says yes. Benedick walks up with Beatrice and doesn't show who is he. She starts to talk about Benedick, calling him, "the Prince's jester, a very dull fool"

Later on the the act Beatrice remarks that everyone is getting married and leaving home except from her. Don Pedro then gallantly offers to marry her but she refuses, telling him he is "too costly to wear every day". She leaves after Leonato reminds her of some work she needs to do. Claudio and Leonato agree have the wedding in one week, and in the meantime Don Pedro tells them they will get Benedick and Beatrice to fall in love. Claudio and Hero agree to participate in the plot.

Don John is furious over the fact that Claudio is marrying Hero. He tells Don John that he is a good friend of Hero's servant Margaret and that he can get her to look out at Hero's chamber window. Borachio tells that Don John to get Don Pedro and Claudio to watch the chamber window at a set time, and he will then meet Margaret in the room, making them think that Hero has another lover. Don John promises Borachio a thousand ducats if the plan succeeds.

Benedick decides that he will never fall in love the way Claudio did. He sees Claudio and Don Pedro coming and hides so he can listen to them. Don Pedro arrives with Claudio and Leonato. Don Pedro asks them if they saw where Benedick was, and Claudio tells him they will give Benedick more than he bargained for. Don Pedro continues asking questions about Beatrice's love for Benedick while Benedick. Claudio joins in, telling Don Pedro what he purportedly heard from Hero, and claiming that Hero thinks Beatrice will surely die before she reveals her love.

ACT THREE – SUMMARY

Hero tells Margaret to go get Beatrice and tells her that she overheard Hero and Ursula talking about Beatrice. Hero then tells Ursula to talk about Benedick as if he were madly in love with Beatrice. She agrees, and they wait until they see Beatrice hide herself. Beatrice is hiding and Hero tells Ursula that Benedick is madly in love with Beatrice, but that she will never tell Beatrice because she is afraid her cousin. Claudio, Don Pedro and Leonato find Benedick to be acting sadder than usual, and make fun of him as if he is in love. 

Don John arrives and tells Claudio and Don Pedro that Hero is unfaithful. He offers to prove it to them, telling them to go with him that night and look into Hero's chamber window. Don John had brought Don Pedro and Claudio to orchard where they watched this whole scene and became convinced that Hero was ''cheating''. 

Hero is getting ready with Margaret for her wedding that day. She sends Ursula to find Beatrice. Margaret then implies that perhaps Beatrice will someday decide to fall in love much the Benedick has. They all gather in the church.

ACT FOUR - SUMMARY

Eveyone gathers in the church to celebrate the wedding of Hero and Claudio. Don Pedro refuses to defend Hero's honor, telling Leonato that he watched with his own eyes as Hero embraced another man the night before. Hero faints and falls to the ground. Don John, Don Pedro and Claudio all leave the church. Beatrice runs up and tries to help her cousin. Hero then wakes up and and tells them that she has know idea what man Claudio thinks he saw her with.