Shakespeare was a playwright that liked to keep his readers on their toes. You really have to constantly be thinking and looking up what different words meant in Elizabethan time. His use of puns in Much Ado About Nothing is worth "noting". Basically everything that happened in the play was set up by the characters and nothing withheld any credibility. I believe that is what gives the play its humor. The plot is driven forward by disguises, false reports, and misinterpretations. .
First of all we will consider how naive the characters in this play are. If they just hear one little thing involving them or someone they know, they automatically take it as being true. Let's contrast those actions with the characters in today's world. If I overheard something that was being said about me, I would definitely have to make sure there was some validity to what was being said, before I took action. Don Pedro and Claudio begin this idea of deception by Don Pedro suggesting that he woo Hero in the name of Claudio. Don Pedro is telling Claudio about the plot:.
What need the bridge much broader than the flood.
The fairest grant is the necessity.
Look What will serve is fit. "Tis once thou lovest,.
And I will fit thee with the remedy.
I know we shall have reveling tonight.
Bishop 2.
I will assume thy part in some disguise,.
And tellfair Hero I am Claudio.
And in her bosom I"ll unclasp my heart.
And take her hearing prisoner with the force.
And strong encounter of my amorous tale.
Then after to her father will I break,.
And the conclusion is, she shall be thine.
In practice let us put is presently (I.i.264-276).
Ironically in the end these two gentlemen were told the biggest lie of all, the lie that Hero is impure. So now that we have established our first cover-up, along comes Antonio, and he thinks that the prince said that he was in love with Hero. Therefore he runs and tell this to Leonato.