Don Pedro, the prince of Aragon, comes to stay with Leonato, the governor of Messina (in Italy) after conquering the enemy in battle. Leonato has a daughter called Hero who Claudio, one of the prince's favoured followers, falls in love with. He also has a niece, Beatrice, who strongly dislikes another of Don Pedro's right-hand men, Benedick. The dislike is also very reciprocal!
Slayt: 2
Act 1, Scene 3
Don John, Don Pedro's brother, is much displeased with Claudio and Hero's love, and he wants to put a stop to it somehow. Borachio, one of his followers, comes up with a plot to do so.
Slayt: 3
Act 2, Scene 1
Don Pedro has wooed Hero for Claudio, and he brings him to her. Leonato gives Claudio his rich blessings.
Slayt: 4
Act 2, Scene 3
Leonato, the prince and Claudio (written as shown from left to right), knowing that Benedick is hiding near, converse in the orchard about how Beatrice is 'head over heels in love with him'. He is shocked, and promises to love her.
Slayt: 5
Act 3, Scene 1
Beatrice comes to the bower where Hero and one of her waiting gentlewomen, Ursula, privy to her hiding place, are talking about how Benedick is 'swooningly in love with Beatrice' but she cannot be told lest she scorn and mock him. She is amazed, and promises to "tame her wild heart to his loving hand."
Slayt: 6
Act 3, Scene 2
Claudio and the prince tease Benedick for being supposedly in love, and Claudio jokes that it must be so because he has shaved off his beard and it has become the stuffing for tennis balls!
Slayt: 7
Act 3, Scene 2
Don John comes and (untruthfully) tells Claudio and Don Pedro that Hero has been unfaithful. They are not happy but want to see proof, and Don John says that he will show them. His accomplice, Borachio, has set it up so that the "proof" will appear true while being false.
Slayt: 8
Act 3, Scene 3
The city watchmen overhear Borachio telling Conrade, another of Don John's accomplices, of his treachery in making Claudio and the prince think Hero was unfaithful, and of the handsome sum of money he made off Don John for it. The watchmen call Dogberry, the Master Constable, and they apprehend the villains.
Slayt: 9
Act 4, Scene 1
Claudio disgraces Hero at their wedding and doesn't marry her, accusing her of being unfaithful to him, which he thinks is true but actually is not. She faints, and those left at the scene formulate a plan to make others think she is dead and so make them feel sorry for her.
Slayt: 10
Act 4, Scene 2
Dogberry brings Borachio and Conrade to court, and they are found guilty. He doesn't make himself easy to understand, however.
Slayt: 11
Act 5, Scene 1
Leonato, his brother, Anthony, Don Pedro and Claudio learn that Borachio and Don John plotted to stop Claudio and Hero's marriage, and the prince and Claudio are shocked. Claudio promises to wed Leonato's niece to recompense him for his daughter's "death".
Slayt: 12
Act 5, Scene 3
Hero
Claudio mourns the death of Hero and reads an epitaph at her grave.
Slayt: 13
Act 5, Scene 4
Claudio and Hero, as well as Benedick and Beatrice, are potentially wed, after Claudio finds out Hero is Leonato's "niece", and Don John is captured.