After winning a swift military victory over the forces of his bastard brother, Don Pedro, Prince of Aragon, rides to Messina to visit the governor, Leonato. Don Pedro is accompanied by the defeated Don John, with whom he has been reconciled; Don John's followers, Borachio and Conrade; and by two of his most distinguished soldiers, the young lords
Claudio and Benedick. Once in Messina, Benedick, a confirmed bachelor, renews his bantering "merry war" of words with Leonato's niece, Beatrice, while the proper Claudio falls in love at first sight with Beatrice's mild-mannered cousin, Hero. Don Pedro, learning of Claudio's love, offers to help the young soldier by impersonating him at a masked ball and wooing Hero for him. But two eavesdropping servants overhear Don Pedro's offer; one of them reports to Antonio, who.....
