THE ARMY, led by Don Pedro, have returned from successfully quelling a rebellion and are welcomed by Leonato. Among Don Pedro’s retinue are Benedict, Don Pedro’s right-hand man, Claudio and Don John, Don Pedro’s malcontent brother.
Claudio falls in love with Leonato’s daughter Hero and, with the help of Don Pedro, succeeds in winning her hand. Benedict, however, declares himself an eternal bachelor, and Hero’s cousin Beatrice also maintains that she will never find a partner - until their friends conspire to trick them both into believing that each loves the other.
Claudio is deceived by a plot laid by Don John and on his wedding day denounces Hero as immoral. She faints and is believed dead.
The Friar who was to have married them proposes that the illusion of Hero’s death be maintained and that she be kept hidden until her innocence can be proved. Beatrice, enraged by her cousin’s situation, urges Benedict to exact revenge on Claudio…
(derived from the Royal Shakespeare Company)
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