Hero was harshly accused of cheating on Claudio, the love of her life, and coldly handed back to her father. It was the outcome of a cruel plan devised by the bastard brother of Don Pedro, Don John. The plan involved Margaret, Hero’s maid, being in her mistresses’ window with a man, tricking Claudio and Don Pedro into believing that it was Hero and that she was just a common prostitute.
When the Don John’s plot is uncovered, Hero forgives Claudio for doubting her and recovers her reputation. ‘One Hero dies defiled, but I do live, and surely as I live I am a maid.’ (V.4, 63-4)
The tale of Hero and Claudio and how a lover is deceived into believing that his beloved has been unfaithful to him because he has seen a man at her bedroom window goes back many centuries.
After being confronted with the love sonnets they have both written, two other main characters, Beatrice and Benedick, agree to accept each other in marriage. ‘Here’s our own hands against our hearts.’ (V. 4, 91)
This is despite Benedick vowing to remain a single man for the rest of his life. ‘I will live a bachelor’ (1.1,182)
Beatrice is an orphan, taken in by her uncle Leonarto. Signor Benedick of Padua works for the military and is a companion of Don Pedro. Both characters cast ironic, self-mocking glances back at their former love life together and this promises the audience that the ‘merry war’ will continue beyond the altar.
Eventually all the couples that the audience have been longing to see together finally unite in marriage.
Forgiveness is a very significant part of Act V Scene 4. Margaret is pardoned for being involved in misunderstandings and plots devised by Don John. The family forgive Claudio for accusing innocent Hero falsely and embarrassing her at their first wedding.
However, evil Don John is not pardoned but gets the harsh
punishment that he deserves. He is captured and taken to Messina
where he pays for his actions, his punishment devised by Benedick ‘I’ll devise thee brave punishments for him’ (V. 4, 119-120)
‘Much Ado About Nothing’ is a vigorous and imaginative romantic comedy, cheerful and accessible for everyone. The plot is fairly witty but is also layered with more serious matters about which men and women falling into a mutual distrust. The convention of music and dancing is used at the end of the play. This symbolises happiness and forgiveness, ending on a happy note. This was a typical convention that was used in many Elizabethan comedies. By using these conventions, Shakespeare gives the audience a warm feeling as they see that good has defeated evil.