SYNOPSIS By J. ELLIS BURDICK ACT I Don Pedro, prince of Arragon, Claudio, a young lord of Florence, and Benedick, a young nobleman of Padua, are returning from a war just ended and stop in Messina to visit the governor, Leonato. Living in the governor's palace are two young ladies: Hero, the daughter of the . governor, and Beatrice, his niece. Between Benedick and Beatrice "there is a kind of merry war" and at this meeting the "skirmish of wit" continues. Claudio's old attraction for Hero ripens into love and Don Pedro promises him his aid in winning the lady. ACT II Leonato gives a masquerade dance in honor of his guests and Don Pedro takes advantage of his disguise to plead for Claudio with Hero. Don John, a natural brother of Don Pedro, tries to persuade Claudio that the prince is playing him false. This scheme fails, for Leonato promises his daughter to Claudio, but Don John concocts a deeper plot. Beatrice teases Benedick so much that he desires to cut short his visit. Their friends decide that they would be well mated and plan to arouse their affections for each other. They cause Benedick to overhear that Beatrice is in love with him. ACT III In the same manner Beatrice is informed of Benedick's love for her. The night before Hero and Claudio are to be married, Don John brings the prince and Claudio beneath Hero's window, where they see and hear Borachio, a follower of Don John, talking with Hero's maid, Margaret. Don John makes his companions believe that it is Hero having a secret meeting with another lover. Some watchmen overhear Borachio bragging of his share in this plot, and they arrest him and take him before the constable. The constable tries to tell Leonato about Don John's plot, but Leonato, in the confusion incident to the wedding, pays no heed to what the constable tells him. ACT IV Claudio repudiates Hero at the altar. Hero swoons and by the advice of the officiating friar, Leonato announces that she is dead. Benedick declares his love for Beatrice and she confesses hers for him. Believing in the innocence of Hero, Beatrice demands that he avenge Hero by slaying Claudio. ACT V Leonato, in his grief and anger, desires to fight Claudio. At that moment Benedick enters and challenges both the prince and Claudio. The watchmen bring Borachio before the prince and Leonato, and he tells them of the plot of Don John and of Hero's innocence. Claudio is overcome with grief and promises to perform any penance which Leonato shall inflict on him. The governor says Claudio must marry his niece, who is "almost the copy of" his "child that's dead." Great is Claudio's joy when he finds this unknown lady to be no other than the Hero whom he had believed dead. Beatrice and Benedick are told of the trick that has been played on them, but they do not regret it and continue to love one another. MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING ACT FIRST SCENE I Before Leonato's house. Enter Leonato, Hero, and Beatrice, with Leon. I learn in this letter that Don Pedro of Mess. He is very near by this: he was not three Leon. How many gentlemen have you lost in Mess. But few of any sort, and none of name. brings home full numbers. I find here that Mess. Much deserved on his part, and equally remembered by Don Pedro: he hath borne himself beyond the promise of his age; doing, in the figure of a lamb, the feats of a lion: he hath indeed better bettered expecta 16. "better bettered"; more surpassed.-C. H. H. |