The play is one of Shakespeare's comedies and the resolution ends in the marriage of both couples.

The play is set in Messina in Italy.

The action takes place at Leonato’s house.

Leonato is Hero’s father and Beatrice’s uncle.

Don Pedro, Claudio and Benedick return from war at the start of the play.

Don Pedro is the social supreme in the play.

Don John is the illegitimate bastard brother of Don Pedro.

Benedick and Beatrice fall in love.

Hero and Claudio fall in love.

The play focuses on the love stories.

The main plot centres around the love and deception of Hero and Claudio’s relationship.

The sub plot follows the fanciful and playful love between Beatrice and Benedick.

Both Hero and Claudio are deceived by Don John and Borachio.

The play centres around deception – deception has negative and positive effects in the play.

Leonato is Hero’s father and as a result suffers the shame and deception of Don John and Borachio.

The play reflects many of the social circumstances of the time such as honour, love, social standing and social grace.

The use of language is important throughout the play.