William Shakespeare is considered the greatest writer in the English language. He was an English poet, playwright and actor. In this essay we will discuss his plays and the use of dramatic irony which plays an important role in the following essay. Dramatic irony is a narrative device in which the implications of a situation, speech, etc., are understood by the audience but not by the characters in the play. This usually happens when, for example, a character reacts inappropriately or stupidly or when a character lacks self-awareness and acts based on false assumptions. The play “Much Ado About Nothing” conveys the use of dramatic irony found throughout Shakespeare's writing. This allows the audience to know the facts about the character's ignorance, thus creating suspense, comedy, and more entertainment as the plot intensifies throughout the show. The most notable use of dramatic irony in the play is the deception of Benedick and Beatrice, Hero's infidelity, and his death. The first sign of dramatic irony occurs during the masquerade ball when both Benedick and Claudio believe they have deceived each other into thinking they are someone else. Benedict won't let Beatrice know who he really is. “You won't tell me who you are?” Beatrice asks: “No, you will forgive me” she replies. It is clear to the audience that Beatrice knows that Benedetto is behind the mask, she does so by constantly ridiculing him like the accent he speaks with, but he doesn't realize it. Benedick and Beatrice both begin to hate each other, but each overhears that they love each other. The audience knows that Benedick and Beatrice are preparing; however, the characters are unaware of this. “Come here Leonato. What did you say... middle of the paper... the charges against her. They ask for penance and Leonato forces them to announce Hero's innocence to the people and ask Claudio to marry his niece the next day, only to realize that Hero has been alive all this time. The play “Much Ado About Nothing” conveys the use of dramatic irony found throughout Shakespeare's writing. This allows the audience to know the facts about the character's ignorance, thus creating suspense, comedy, and more entertainment as the plot intensifies throughout the show. Some examples of dramatic irony include Benedick and Beatrice's deception, Hero's infidelity, and Hero's death. Shakespeare's use of dramatic irony was an important factor in giving audiences a vivid and enjoyable experience throughout his plays. Factors like these have earned him the title of the greatest writer in the English language.