his knights fell in love with a young, chaste lady, the daughter of Master Lionato. This knight was very much in love with this lady, and wished to marry her. Lionato was also from Messina corresponding in Much Ado About Nothing with Leonato, the governor of Messina. This place is in Italy. Signor Timbreo became obsessed with this girl, named Fenicia. Fenicia and Timbreo were desperately in love with eachother, and wished to be betrothed. Signor Timbreo commissioned a messenger to go and ask Lionato if he could have his daughter’s hand in marriage. Lionato was happy with this arrangement, and he gave his consent. Also, there was another knight in this story, Signor Girondo. This man and Signor Timbreo were great friends, just like Benedict and Claudio. These two men were also very noble. Now, Girondo fell in love with Fenicia. He wanted to destroy the relationship of Timbreo and Fenicia to lure Fenicia to him. This plot is much like the plot of Don John, the bastard brother of Don Pedro, in Much Ado About Nothing. He is Bero 3very impetuous in his actions. Girondo uses similar means of deception in trying to break up the young lovers’ relationship. With the aid of a friend, Girondo pleads to Timbreo that his lover is unfaithful. Now, Girondo leads Timbreo to Fenicia’s window. Timbreo can not believe what he sees. He becomes very mad. He slanders and offends Fenicia. Fenicia becomes suicidal, and her father, Lionato, sends her away from Messina, but spreads falsely the news that Fenicia had died. Both Timbreo and Girondo are saddened by this unfortunate news. A year later, Lionato arranges a marriage for Timbreo. This turns out to be Fenicia. Soon after, Girondo marries Fenicia’s sister, Belifore. This relationship with Girondo and Belifore can not be compared with the relationship of Benedict and Beatrice. Obviously, there are striking similarities between Much Ado About Nothing and N...
