Yet they have so much in common that they belong together. Only when each is tricked into believing the other harbors secret affections do they acknowledge their love. The opposite fate unfolds for Claudio, tricked into believing Hero has been unfaithful. He hasn't bothered to get to know her intimately enough to trust her protestations of innocence and he calls off the wedding, publicly humiliating her. There is a definite timelessness to the idea of petty, pompous people who dwell on outward appearances, making much ado about nothing and failing to recognize the truth.
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Leon Worden is The Signal's special sections editor. His regular column appears on Wednesdays.