Much Ado about Nothing

Much Ado About Nothing is a comedy by William Shakespeare thought to have been written in 1598 and 1599 as Shakespeare was approaching the middle of his career. The play was included in the First Folio published in 1623. By means of noting (which in Shakespeares day sounded similar to nothing as in the plays title and which means gossip rumour and overhearing) Benedick and Beatrice are tricked into confessing their love for each other and Claudio is tricked into rejecting Hero at the altar on the erroneous belief that she has been unfaithful. At the end Benedick and Beatrice join forces to set things right and the others join in a dance celebrating the marriages of the two couples.