<P> Much Ado About Nothing is a comedy by William Shakespeare thought to have been written in 1598 and 1599, as Shakespeare was approaching the middle of his career . The play was included in the First Folio, published in 1623 . </P> <P> By means of "noting" (which, in Shakespeare's day, sounded similar to "nothing" as in the play's title, and which means gossip, rumour, and overhearing), Benedick and Beatrice are tricked into confessing their love for each other, and Claudio is tricked into rejecting Hero at the altar on the erroneous belief that she has been unfaithful . At the end, Benedick and Beatrice join forces to set things right, and the others join in a dance celebrating the marriages of the two couples . </P> <Ul> <Li> Benedick, A lord and soldier from Padua; companion of Don Pedro </Li> <Li> Beatrice, niece of Leonato </Li> <Li> Don Pedro, Prince of Aragon . </Li> <Li> Don John, "the Bastard Prince," brother of Don Pedro . </Li> <Li> Claudio, of Florence; a count, companion of Don Pedro, friend to Benedick . </Li> <Li> Leonato, governor of Messina; Hero's father </Li> <Li> Antonio, brother of Leonato . </Li> <Li> Balthasar, attendant on Don Pedro, a singer . </Li> <Li> Borachio, follower of Don John . </Li> <Li> Conrade, follower of Don John . </Li> <Li> Innogen, a ghost character in early editions as Leonato's wife </Li> <Li> Hero, daughter of Leonato </Li> <Li> Margaret, waiting - gentlewoman attendant on Hero . </Li> <Li> Ursula, waiting - gentlewoman attendant on Hero . </Li> <Li> Dogberry, the constable in charge of Messina's night watch . </Li> <Li> Verges, the Headborough, Dogberry's partner </Li> <Li> Friar Francis, a priest . </Li> <Li> A Sexton, the judge of the trial of Borachio </Li> <Li> A Boy, serving Benedick </Li> <Li> The Watch, watchmen of Messina </Li> <Li> Attendants and Messengers </Li> </Ul>

What does nothing mean in much ado about nothing