In a battle of the sexes fought by Beatrice and Benedick, a trick played on these two to turn them into lovers.

Shakespeare introduces us to a group of people who have a past with each other that is immediately apparent as soon as Beatrice asks the messenger if all the soldiers are returned from the war. Beatrice's question implies emotions that she does not yet know she even has. She and Benedick (who returns from the war) are attracted to each other but do not know how to deal with these feelings.

The relationship of Beatrice and Benedick is opposite to the more traditional relationship of Hero and Claudio. Claudio, also just having returned from the war, now has the leisure and desire to marry Hero. He is concerned about her social position and how others perceive her. Claudio allows the Duke to intervene on his behalf, to approach Hero and her father with his proposal. Claudio is distant and wants to traditionally court the young Hero.

Meanwhile, Hero is cautioned by her father to obey his will when it comes to the choice of a husband. This is just the beginning of complications involving two sets of lovers, giving the audience and or the readers a hint of the comedic mellow drama that will follow when love is involved.