Leonato shares his house with his daughter Hero and his niece Beatrice. He prepares to welcome some friends home from a war. They include Don Pedro, Claudio and Benedick. Don John, Don Pedro's illegitimate brother, is part of the crowd as well. He is sullen and bitter, and makes trouble for the others.
When the soldiers arrive at Leonato's home, Claudio quickly falls in love with Hero. They pledge their love to one another and decides to be married. Meanwhile, Benedick and Beatrice soon fall secretly in love with each other.
Don John has decided to disrupt everyone's happiness. He successfully makes Claudio believe that Hero is unfaithful to him. The enraged Claudio humiliates Hero by suddenly accusing her on the day of their wedding and abandoning her at the altar.
Hero's family members decide to pretend that she has died suddenly of shock and grief to hide her away while they wait for the truth about her innocence to come to light.
Fortunately, the night watchmen overhear Borachio bragging about his crime. The heads of the local police ultimately arrest Borachio. Everyone learns that Hero is really innocent, and Claudio, who believes she is dead, grieves for her.
Leonato wants Claudio to marry his 'niece' - a girl who, he says looks much like the dead Hero. Claudio goes to church with the others, preparing to marry the mysterious, masked woman. When Hero reveals herself as the masked woman, Claudio is overwhelmed with joy.