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ACT 2.
Scene i.
The scene opens with Beatrice making acid comparison between the relatively silent Don John and the loquacious Benedick. Her uncle Leonato chastises Beatrice about her negative views concerning men and marriage, predicting that she will die an old maid if she does alter her defiantly independent stance. At the masquerade ball, a masked Don Pedro woos Hero for Claudio's sake. Don John tries to stir up trouble, but this first plot is quickly aborted when Don Pedro, Hero and Leonato appear together, all parties acclaim Claudio's proposal of marriage to Hero. Elsewhere at the ball, the masked Beatrice and Benedict exchange humorous barbs, acting as if they are the opinions of the others whom they pretend to be but showing that they realize each other's true identities. .
Since a week must pass before the wedding of Claudio and Hero can be held, Don Pedro launches Plot B when he suggests that he and the other benevolent characters spend their time trying to trick Beatrice and Benedick into admitting their love for each other. This plot unfolds in parallel orchard scenes of Act II, scene iii and Act III, scene i.
Scene ii:.
Immediately thereafter, the play's third plot, plot C is set into motion. Borachio proposes to Don John that they ruin Hero's reputation in the eyes of Claudio. He suggest that they stage a romantic tryst. Toward that end, he has enlisted Hero's serving-woman, Margaret, instructing her to appear at Hero's window in the guise of her mistress; Borachio plans to climb to the window, appearing to be an unknown lover of Hero and the whole sham will be used to convince Claudio and Don Pedro that Hero is not a virtuous virgin, but a wanton piece of "damaged goods.".
Scene iii:.
In a garden alone, Benedick muses on the seductive power of love. When Don Pedro, Claudio and Leonato arrive, he hides himself in the arbor, but they are aware that he is now eavesdropping on their conversation.