Borachio

Mm.

So, uh, Don John's plan is to sneak up behind Claudio with his two henchmen, Borachio and Conrad, these lackeys, uh, and whisper in his ear, "Watch out.

The prince is trying to nab your girl for real." And Claudio-

Because he's an idiot

If thou dost love, my kindness shall incite thee to bind our loves up in a holy band.

For others say thou dost deserve, and I believe it better than reportingly.

Now, Borachio and Conrad, the lackeys of, uh, the evil bastard Prince Don John, somehow Borachio has wooed one of Hero's ladies-in-waiting, Margaret, who we mentioned earlier, played by a young-ish Imelda Staunton.

His plan is that Conrad and Don John lure- Count Claudio and Don Pedro to an area beneath the window of Margaret's room.

Claudio, on the other hand, no sooner arrived at Messina than he fell in love with Hero, the daughter of Leonato, Governor of Messina.

One July day, a perfumer called Borachio was burning dried lavender in a musty room in Leonato's house when the sound of conversation floated through the open window.

"Give me your candid opinion of Hero," Claudio asked, and Borachio settled himself for comfortable listening.

"Too short and brown for praise," was Benedick's reply, "but alter her color or height and you spoil her." "In my eyes, she is the sweetest of women," said Claudio.

"Not in mine," retorted Benedick, "and I have no need for glasses.

Claudio then was fortunate, but he was unfortunate as well, for he had an enemy who was outwardly a friend.

This enemy was Don Pedro's stepbrother, Don John, who was jealous of Claudio because Don Pedro preferred him to Don John.

It was to Don John that Borachio came with the interesting conversation which he had overheard.

What is your name, friend?

Borachio.

Pray.

Write down Borachio.

Yours, sirrah?

I'm a gentleman, sir.