Leonato and Antonio confront Don Pedro and Claudio with fierce grief, challenging them directly for what they have done to Hero. Benedick arrives and formally challenges Claudio to a duel. Borachio, brought in by the Watch, confesses the whole deception to Don Pedro — Margaret was mistaken for Hero, Hero was innocent, and Don John engineered it all before fleeing. Claudio and Don Pedro are stricken. As penance, Leonato asks Claudio to mourn Hero publicly and then marry his niece, sight unseen.
Leonato and Antonio confront Don Pedro and Claudio with fierce grief, challenging them directly for what they have done to Hero. Benedick arrives and formally challenges Claudio to a duel. Borachio, brought in by the Watch, confesses the whole deception to Don Pedro — Margaret was mistaken for Hero, Hero was innocent, and Don John engineered it all before fleeing. Claudio and Don Pedro are stricken. As penance, Leonato asks Claudio to mourn Hero publicly and then marry his niece, sight unseen.