Act IV, scene 1 is the most significant scene in the play, where a sharp comedy turns to near tragedy. The scene can be split into three sections, the wedding, the friar's plan and Beatrice and Benedict's declaration of love. Various sub plots lead up to this scene and are entangled in it. For example, the impending marriage, the proposed shaming of Hero and the relationship of Beatrice and Benedict. The main characters are split into two groups with different expectations of the wedding. Claudio, Don John and Don Pedro all believe that Claudio will shame Hero and the wedding will end in tragedy. However, Hero, Beatrice, Leonato and the friar all expect the wedding to be a joyful occasion.

Don John plans to prevent the wedding of Hero and Claudio by allowing Hero to be falsely accused of meeting another man the night before the wedding. It is Claudio he wishes to harm because he is jealous of him, he calls him,

"That young start-up" and says, "if I can cross him any way, I bless myself every way."

This conspiracy is known to the audience,

The way in which the characters relate to each is very different to how it would be in the 21st century. The relationship between Leonato and his daughter Hero shows little love and trust. When Hero is accused of not being faithful, Leonato immediately believes that she is guilty even though she protests she has done nothing wrong. When Hero faints, Leonato tells Beatrice that,

"Death is the fairest cover for her shame".

Beatrice enters the church to pray for Hero and Benedict follows her. Beatrice is hurt and angry for her cousin Hero and Benedict simply wants to help. Previously in the play there has been much witty banter between the two, both of whom insist they are content to be single. In fact the banter could be described as "Much Ado About Nothing". A great play on words, but no relationship developing until now. This scene is much more intimate than the previous one, it would probably calm the audience down slightly after the excitement of the wedding. However this calm does not last for long. For example in Act I, scene 1, Beatrice says,

Some common words found in the essay are:
Hero Claudio, Beatrice Benedict, Claudio Hero, Don John, Leonato Hero's, Act IV, Especially Hero, Hero Benedict, Farewell Hero, Don Pedro, beatrice benedict, scene 1, don john, act iv scene, act iv, iv scene, iv scene 1, don pedro, sub plots, claudio hero, hero claudio, scene 1 beatrice, hero benedict, play effective stage, death fairest cover,
Approximate Word count = 2924
Approximate Pages = 12 (250 words per page double spaced)