Shakespeare

In class, we are in the midst of reading Much Ado About Nothing, a comedy by Shakespeare. So far I am enjoying the play very much. The handsome war-hero, Claudio, has fallen deeply in love with the beautiful, doting daughter of Leonato, Hero. Leonato is keeping Don Pedro, the prince, as well as Claudio and Benedick as guests in his home, for they have recently returned from battle. Also staying with Leonato is Don Pedro's half-brother, Don John the bastard and his two comrades Borachio and Conrade. Don John is the villain in the story and wants to cause trouble and discorde, for the discomfort of his half-brother. When he hears that Claudio wants Hero's hand in marriage, and that Claudio and Don Pedro have planned a way to woo her and talk with Leonato about the marriage, he wants to do whatever he can to make sure the marriage doesn't happen. The reason he wants to do this, is because he is a mean guy, it's just in his nature. The plan that Don Pedro and Claudio have conjured to win Hero over is as follows: Don Pedro will woo Hero in Claudio's name at the masked ball, and also talk to her father about the marriage. Then once Hero is won over, Claudio will take Don Pedro's place as himself. Clearly, there are many ways Don John can cause confusion and mayhem at the masked ball, and that's exactly what he intends to do.