The main plot in the Shakespearean comedy Much Ado About Nothing revolves around Claudio and Hero. This scene, performed by Joe Gatton and Patti Heying, features the more mature lovers from the play’s subplot—Beatrice and Benedick—and their “merry war.” Prior to this scene (from Act V, Scene II), Hero’s character has been defamed, causing her fiancé, Claudio, to reject her at the altar. Enraged, Beatrice urges Benedick to prove his love for her by killing Claudio. In this scene, Benedick tells Beatrice he has challenged Claudio to a duel. Joe Gatton opens the segment by introducing the scene.
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Download OnlyMuch Ado About Nothing includes many of the hallmarks of a Shakespearean comedy—colorful characters, quick-witted banter, and benign deceit.
Set in the Italian town of Messina, Much Ado About Nothing centers on the characters of Leonato, a nobleman; his daughter Hero; and his niece Beatrice. As the play begins, Leonato welcomes Don Pedro, a prince, and two respected soldiers—Claudio and Benedick—home from war. Upon meeting Hero, Claudio immediately falls in love, and they pledge to be married. Benedick and Beatrice, though clearly attracted to one another, hide behind a steady exchange of playful insults and insistent declarations of their independence. Claudio, Hero, and others contrive to bring the two stubborn lovers together by convincing each of them separately that the other harbors a secret love. The plan works, and the two fall in love—in their own way.
Meanwhile, Don John, the sullen and spiteful brother of Don Pedro, decides to ruin Hero and Claudio’s happiness. He seeks the help of his friend Borachio, who happens to be the boyfriend of Margaret, Hero’s serving lady. Don John convinces Borachio to romance Margaret as she wears Hero’s clothing and arranges for Claudio to witness the scene. From what Claudio can see, it appears that Hero is being unfaithful to him, and he runs off, devastated.
Claudio keeps his discovery to himself until his wedding day, when he accuses Hero of lechery during the church service and walks out. With the Friar’s counsel, Leonato and his family decide to pretend that Hero is dead. Beatrice, outraged at her cousin’s treatment by Claudio, insists that Benedick seek retribution.
Meanwhile, Dogberry, the town constable, arrests Borachio and extracts a confession. Everyone now knows that Hero was innocent, and Claudio grieves for her, believing her to be dead. Leonato requests that Claudio marry Hero’s cousin, who looks exactly like Hero. Claudio agrees. When the cousin is revealed to be Hero herself, Claudio is overjoyed. Benedick asks Beatrice to marry him as well, and she agrees.
In the video excerpt, Benedick has just returned from his confrontation with Claudio, and Beatrice wants to learn the outcome. The scene demonstrates both characters’ feisty spirits and the unusual nature of their romance. As Benedick says, “Thou and I are too wise to woo peaceably.”
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