Messina, on the northeastern coast of Sicily. Behind the photographer is the mainland of Italy (the toe of the ‘boot’), separated from the island by the narrow Strait of Messina.
Part 1 of 2
FLUSHED with success in battle, Don Pedro, Prince of Aragon, repaired to Messina in Sicily for a well-earned rest in the house of the Governor, Leonato. With him went two Italian lords, Claudio and Benedick, and Don Pedro’s stepbrother, Don John.
Don John was envious of Claudio’s place in Don Pedro’s trust. Imagine his glee when his servant Borachio whispered to him that he had overheard Claudio sighing for the love of Hero, Governor Leonato’s daughter. Don John at once saw an opportunity for ‘mischief’; but his feeble attempts to sow discord during a masked ball were frustrated, when gallant Don Pedro secured Leonato’s permission for Hero and Claudio to marry.
And Don Pedro went on playing Cupid. He convinced Benedick that Leonato’s acid-tongued niece Beatrice, who had been teasing him mercilessly for years, was sweet on him. Not to be outdone in match-making, Hero found a surprisingly tender place in Beatrice’s heart for Benedick too.Romance was all around, and Claudio to be married next day; so when wicked Don John hinted darkly that Hero might be unfaithful, her fiancé Claudio could barely believe it.
Part Two
English actress Ellen Terry (1847-1928), painted by her husband George Frederic Watts in about 1864. Terry played Hero and also Beatrice in countless performances of ‘Much Ado About Nothing’, some alongside her long-time collaborator Sir Henry Irving. Beatrice was her favourite, a character she based on her friend Anne Codrington, Lady Winchilsea. ‘When Nan Codrington came into a room it was as if the sun came out’, wrote Terry.
BUT that night, confirmation seemed to come. Claudio heard a woman’s voice bid Borachio a fond goodnight, and it came from Hero’s bedroom window. Don John had warned him; now it was certain! Next day, right before the altar, Claudio accused Hero so bitterly that she fainted away.
When he subsequently learnt that Hero had never recovered, Claudio was racked with remorse. Worse, Borachio now confessed that the whole window scene had been staged and paid for by Don John. Claudio denounced himself as a slanderer and a murderer, and told Leonato to choose his revenge.
Unexpectedly, Leonato sentenced Claudio to marriage — a niece of Leonato’s was to take Hero’s place. The solemn company duly assembled in church, the bride lifted her veil – and revealed herself as Hero, who had not died — or rather, was dead ‘only while slander lived’.
It was all very touching; even Beatrice and Benedick were swept up in it, still sparring merrily. The happy couples married, and danced, and Don John was forgotten. All his mischief really came down to much ado about nothing.