Much Ado About Nothing
Count Claudio falls in love with Hero, the daughter of a wealthy gentleman of the
idyllic Italian city of Messina. Hero's cousin Beatrice (a determined spinster) and
Benedick (an eternal bachelor) are each duped into believing the other is in love
with them. Claudio is deceived by a malicious plot and denounces Hero as
unchaste before they marry. She faints and is believed dead but recovers to be
proved innocent by a chance discovery. Benedick wins Beatrice’s love, promising
to defend her cousin’s honor. Claudio is reunited with Hero; Benedick is
reconciled with Claudio and a merry dance is held before the double wedding
ceremony.