*Much Ado About Nothing is a comedy by William Shakespeare (writer and actor) was first performed in 1598 or 1599 by the Lord Chamberlain’s Men.

*Much Ado About Nothing is set in Messina, a coastal settlement on the island of Sicily which is located next to the toe end of Italy. Even though Sicily was ruled by Spain at the time (setting) of the play, the characters clearly reflect a more Southern Italian heritage.

*After a victorious battle, Prince Don Pedro and his deputies Claudio and Benedick visit the city of Messina, where they stays with the local governor, Leonato.

*Claudio falls in love with Leonato’s daughter, Hero, but is too shy to court her himself, so his friends try to help him.  Benedick has a long-standing feud with Leonato’s niece, but some of their friends decide it would be a good joke to try to make them fall in love.

*Don Pedro also has a bastard half-brother, Don John, who, to make his brother miserable, tries to spoil everyone’s plans.

*Among the themes of the play are the individual nature of the characters, particularly Benedick and Beatrice (who insist on wanting their freedom, which is why they will never let themselves fall in love).  The theme of romantic love is also fairly new, as in earlier days, marriages tended to be arranged for mutual advantage. The play also emphasises attitudes of the time towards infidelity (many of the characters fear that their loved ones may cheat on them) including those towards illegitimate children (the result of infidelity).

Major characters in Much Ado About Nothing:

Don Pedro:  The prince, an important military, political, and social leader.  He has recently won a war.

Benedick:  A veteran of the recent wars.  He is a great speaker and joker who enjoys battles of wits and insults with his enemies (and even his friends).  Beatrice is his particular rival.  He is proud and independent, and insists he will never allow himself to fall in love, as women are untrustworthy and chain a man down.

Claudio:  Another hero of Don Pedro’s war, but very shy.  He falls in love with Hero, but is too shy to court her.

Don John, also called the bastard:  Don Pedro’s illegitimate half-brother who resents his brother’s success.  He is the villain of the play.

Leonato:  The wealthy governor of Messina, and host of the other characters.  He is the father of Hero and uncle of Beatrice.

Hero:  Leonato’s kind and beautiful daughter, Beatrice’s cousin. 

Beatrice:  Leonato’s niece and friend and cousin of Hero.  She is sharp-tongued, witty, and cynical.  She dislikes Benedick and is constantly tormenting and ridiculing him.  She insists that she will never marry, as she does not want to lose her freedom and has never found a man who she could love as an equal.

Constable Dogberry:  Constable in charge of the watch (chief policeman), be tries to imitate the noblemen he works for, but often comes off as foolish.  He constantly chooses the wrong words to convey his meaning and mostly serves as comic relief.