Much Ado About Nothing: Pretense All of the main characters in "Much Ado About Nothing" are the victims of deception, and it is because they are deceived that they act in the ways that they do. Although the central deception is directed against Claudio in an attempt to destroy his relationship with Hero, it is the deceptions involving Beatrice and Benedick, which provides the play’s, dramatic focus. Nearly every character in the play at some point has to make inferences to what he or she sees, has been told or overhears. Furthermore, every character in the play at some point plays a part of pretending to be what they are not. This poses a few questions.