Leonato, the governor of Messina, welcomes friends home from war: Don Pedro, the Prince of Arragon; Claudio, a well-respected young nobleman; & Benedick, a witty & contented bachelor. Don Pedro's illegitimate brother, Don John, a bitter troublemaker, & his friends Borachio & Conrade are part of the crowd as well. Claudio quickly falls in love with Hero & they decide to marry. Meanwhile, Benedick & Beatrice, Leonato's niece, resume the war of witty insults that they have conducted in the past. Don Pedro, who feels the couple is well-mated, plots to make Beatrice & Benedick think that each feels unrequited love for the other. Don John's friend Borachio makes love to Margaret, Hero's serving-woman, at Hero's window the night before the wedding, while Don John brings Don Pedro & Claudio to watch. Believing that he has seen Hero being unfaithful, the enraged Claudio humiliates Hero, accusing her of lechery & abandoning her at the altar. Friar Francis suggests that Hero pretend that she died of shock & stay hidden until her reputation is cleared. Benedick & Beatrice finally confess their love to one another as Benedick prepares to challenge Claudio. Fortunately, the night watchmen have overheard Borachio bragging about his crime. Dogberry, Shakespeare's comic constable & helper Verges, finally arrest both Borachio & Conrade with the help of the Sexton. Everyone learns that Hero is really innocent, & Claudio, who believes she is dead, grieves for her & agrees to marry Leonato's "niece" (Antonio's daughter) who, Leonato says, is a girl who looks much like the dead Hero. When Hero reveals herself, Claudio is overjoyed & the play ends in a double wedding & a lovely dance.