<b>Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare</b>&nbsp;<i><b>Much Ado About Nothing</b></i>&nbsp;is a&nbsp;comedy&nbsp;by&nbsp;William Shakespeare&nbsp;thought to have been written in 1598 and 1599. The play was included in the&nbsp;<i>First Folio</i>, published in 1623.<br /><br />The play is set in&nbsp;Messina&nbsp;and revolves around two romantic pairings that emerge when a group of soldiers arrive in the town. The first, between Claudio and Hero, is nearly altered by the accusations of the villain, Don John. The second romance, between Claudio&#39;s friend Benedick and Hero&#39;s cousin Beatrice, takes centre stage as the play goes on, with both characters&#39; wit and banter providing much of the humour.<br /><br />Through &quot;noting&quot; (sounding like &quot;nothing&quot;, and meaning gossip, rumour, overhearing), Benedick and&nbsp;Beatrice&nbsp;are tricked into confessing their love for each other, and Claudio is tricked into believing that Hero is not a maiden (virgin). The title&#39;s play on words references the secrets and trickery that form the backbone of the play&#39;s comedy, intrigue, and action.