Much Ado About Errors

Back in the 1500’s, there was once a nobleman named Claudio who lived in Milan, Italy. He served under the duke, Hamlet. Claudio had no family for they had all died so Hamlet took Claudio under his wing when he was but a wee lad. Hamlet gave him education, taught him the ways of battle, and gave him love and care unlike any other. Claudio was very good friends with Duke Hamlet’s son who was also named Hamlet. They took their lessons together, spared together, and they even shared a room. All was good and well until Duke Hamlet’s brother, Claudius, came into the picture.

Claudius had his best scheme ever, planned for many months and refined so many times. Carefully, he would convince the people that Hamlet pays too much attention to his studies and that he does not have time to manage the town and help them with their problems. He would have his brother and his nephew killed before his very eyes, allowing him to take the title of Duke.   

On the ides of March, Claudius had carried out his plan. He had convinced the people that Hamlet doesn’t have time for them and that they should get a new duke. He also said that Hamlet and his son Hamlet should be executed. The people said that it was too harsh so they decided that Duke Hamlet will just be exiled.  When Hamlet and his son were exiled, Claudio had helped them get their necessities and helped them aboard a proper ship. When duke Hamlet was gone, Claudius had become the new Duke of Milan.

One year later, a group of people including Claudius, Claudio and Ophelia decided to board a ship home to Milan from a wedding held in Africa that they had attended. During the past year, Duke Hamlet had diligently studied magic, the kind that could help him get his vengeance.  Though learning this magic would be long and perilous, he would stop at nothing to make them pay. During their voyage back to Milan, the ship faced terrible weather. Winds bellowed hard, waves crashed against the ship’s sides, and the sky roared rage. Shipwrecked, they reached a small island. When they washed up ashore, all their eyes met a pair of kind dark ones. It was Duke Hamlet, sporting a tunic of rags and a hermit’s beard. Everyone was surprised! Who knew that out of all the islands they could be shipwrecked in; they had to be washed up on Hamlet’s island? Duke Hamlet had welcomed them with a smile on his face, the friendliest smile ever. It was as if his exile had never happened. Duke Hamlet welcomed them into his home. As the cast-aways entered the house, Duke Hamlet stood by the door, holding it open for them. Claudius was the last person to enter. Duke Hamlet smiled even more and urged Claudius inside. Claudius smiled back and continued on. As he looked at Claudius’ back… he smiled a whole lot more.

A soothsayer passed by and told them “Beware the Ides of March!” Claudius walked away from the group for a while to calm his nerves; he was bothered about what the Soothsayer had said. He knew his brother and he was one to hold a deep grudge. Hamlet was wise and clever so he could have easily figured out that Claudius was the one who set him up. What if Hamlet wanted his revenge? What would he do then? No, he cannot meet his match just yet. He’ll convince the group of people who washed ashore with him to “take care” of Hamlet. They’ll sneak up on Hamlet when he’s alone, then strike him from the back, so he won’t be able to dodge the blade.

Claudius was the leader of one group and Claudio was the leader of the other. Everything was going to go all according to plan… or so they thought. Little did they know what Claudio had in his mind, Claudio thought deeply all the time since this little assassination plan came to life a few hours ago. He thought and thought of what he could do that would keep suspicion off him until the assassination time AND save Hamlet… then it struck him. He knew what to do. It might have been the only way. Had things progressed differently, they might have all been enjoying a nice dinner together but no, Claudius had to take his last breath tonight. He wasn’t exactly sure on how to do it, but he would, definitely.

                It was dark, eerie, and downright creepy that night. Everyone was in their places, knives in hand. Everyone there was to stab Hamlet. Claudio was running out of time. He slowly crawled away from where they were hiding. Since it was nighttime, nobody noticed him leave, especially since he had been quiet all day, making his presence unnoticeable. He went to find Hamlet and to warn him on what the group of men with knives was planning to do. He told him where Claudius was hiding.  He was so frantic because Claudius had asked Hamlet to meet him there to talk. The former duke initially thought that his brother was going to apologize… and then he would do the deed. Looking at Claudio with confident eyes, Duke Hamlet reassured him and told him to go back to his ambush position. Still very deeply concerned, Claudio obeyed the man who was a father to him. 

Everything was as Claudius planned. Former Duke Hamlet, his brother, was standing in the middle of the small circle of trees, where their group had spread out. Hamlet was there, patiently waiting for him… Urgh! The ever-patient look on his brother’s face just made him sick. He had it. Slowly and carefully, like a lion about to bite its prey, Claudius emerged from the shadows. Duke Hamlet saw him and greeted him with a smile, the best smile he had given all day, like he would never be able to smile ever again, so he was putting all that he had into this last smile… perfect. Whoosh! Claudius pounced at Hamlet and wrestled him to the ground.

What?! The brothers were wrestling each other… and Duke Hamlet is winning? Claudio could not believe his eyes for Duke Hamlet, though he spent much time studying and researching along with the fact that Duke Hamlet was many years older, was immensely weaker than Claudio. He had to intervene; Duke Hamlet might be pushing his body to the brink of death by putting up a fight like this. He charged at the wrestling brothers. The lackeys saw him charging up to the brothers. This might be it! This might be the cue! They then charged as well, knives in hand, glimmering in the weak moonlight and ready for blood.

SHLUCK! SHINGK!

Claudius abruptly stopped; he thought he heard something weird. The wind smelled coppery and it felt like his back was wet with his sweat. Oh well, might be his imagination.  He then lunged for his brother… then everything faded into black.

While all of this is happening, Hamlet had met Ophelia and Ophelia fell in love with Hamlet yet, Hamlet didn't love her. Puck saw this and decided to put the love juice on the eyelids of Hamlet so that he will fall in love with Ophelia. He succeeded and those two are now in loved with each other.

Duke Hamlet and the group of conspirators met and Duke Hamlet explained everything. He explained that all this time, Claudius is only fooling them. So they went back and arrived at Messina where the house of Leonato was.  They stayed there and Claudio met Hero, the daughter of Leonato, at first they didn't gave attention to each other, so as they want to know each other, they talk.

Claudio and Hero spend time with each other. Due to this, they fell in love with each other. Claudio decided to have a party for Hero. On the other hand, Romeo and Juliet were talking on the Balcony. They are stating their love with each other and promised to meet again and marry each other the next day. Since Juliet wears the same type of clothing as Hero, Claudio mistook her as Hero and realized that Hero is cheating on him.

On the day of the wedding, Claudio said that Hero is not a virgin anymore and broadcast it to the crowd. Hero felt a huge embarrassment. Because of her feelings about what happened. Her family members decided to take Hero away. They told the crowd that Hero is dead already and Claudio mourned a lot.

Juliet and Romeo’s love was broadcast. Claudio realized that he was wrong so Leonato asked him to marry his niece. The day of the wedding came and Claudio married the true Hero. The ending became a triple wedding with Ophelia and Hamlet and Theseus and Hippolyta.