Much Ado About Nothing

Treated as one of the great comedy plays of Shakespeare this presents the main plot of obstacles that occur in the union of two lovers – Claudio and Hero. A much more interesting and entertaining sub plot runs parallel and that heightens the humour of the situations: the 'merry war' of love between Beatrice and Benedick. The contrast between these two pairs of lovers is indeed the manner in which they exhibit their love. While Claudio and Hero are speechless when it comes to declaring their love Benedick and Beatrice are always expressing their scorn for love marriage and for each other. The climax is reached when Beatrice and Benedick are tricked into confessing their love for each other Claudio is tricked into rejecting Hero at the altar. In the end Don John the villain is captured and everyone else joins in a dance celebrating the marriages of the two couples. Elements of anger jealouy betrayal hatred and hopelessness abound among the main characters without influencing the comic tone of the plot.