When the great prince, Don Pedro returns from a successful battle, he brings home his soldiers who start to be wooed by local girls.

Claudio, especially, falls for the beautiful Hero and intends to marry her.

When the illegitimate brother of Don Pedro, Don John, shows up on the scene, he attempts to undo his brother and starts spreading rumours that Don Pedro intends to marry Hero.

Meanwhile, another couple are starting the fires of a romance but are frustrated when the girl to be wed, calls her potential suitor "a very dull fool."