As this scene opens, the Governor of Messina, Leonato, his niece Beatrice and his daughter Hero are speaking with a messenger. The messenger has come to tell Leonato that Don Pedro, the Prince of Aragon, is visiting Messina following some sort of battle ("action"). Leonato questions the messenger about the battle, learning that a young lord of Florence named Claudio has earned praise for his part in the battle. The messenger also tells Leonato that Claudio's uncle, who lives in Messina, cried tears of joy when he was told of his nephew's achievements.
Beatrice asks the messenger about Benedick, a lord of Padua whom she has met before. Upon finding out that he survived the battle, she tells the group about an incident where Benedick challenged all the townspeople to participate in.....
