Much Ado About Nothing Leading Characters

Much Ado About Nothing Leading Characters

1. Don Pedro

   • Don John
     • Borachio
     • Don John's Follower/Court
   • Claudio
     • Friends
     • Friends
   • Benedick
     • The first characteristic we notice about Benedick is his sharp wit.
     • Friends
   • Don Pedro is the Prince of Aragon - which means he is the most powerful in the social hierarchy of the play.
     • Don Pedro plays the main role in forming the relationships between Hero and Claudio and Benedick and Beatrice. However, he is the only gallant to end up unmarried at the end of the play.
       • Don Pedro proposes to Beatrice at the masked ball but she rejects him, taking the proposal light heartedly.
         • Don Pedro is clearly a politically minded figure. Whenever he is in a social situation, he handles it diplomatically and arguably with a small amount of detachment from what he is truly feeling. When he is rejected by Beatrice, he does not show any form of resentment or hurt; he quickly moves on to match making Beatrice and Benedick. This would be required of a man in his position.
         • This shows that he too, wants to marry and fall in love (Act 2 Scene 1). However when he is refused, his ability to move on so quickly shows his maturity in comparison to the other characters.
       • He is with Claudio when he sees Hero cheating on him with Borachio. Don Pedro is quick to make assumptions and backs Claudio up fully when he makes accusations at the wedding.
         • This could show he has full support for his friend and wants to see the good in his brother, or that he was some how compromised by the match between Hero and Claudio. We are unsure of the full details of his relationship with his brother, which could be another reason for his quick judgement.
       • Don Pedro insists on pretending to be Claudio at the masked ball, as opposed to letting Claudio confess his love for Hero directly. This allows for him to break the proposal Hero thinks she is getting from the prince gently and still make her fall in love with Claudio.
         • This shows that Don Pedro is caring, and is using his power with good intentions, although, some may question his need for using power in the first place. He definitely is aware that he can use his power though for his own benefit. When he overrules Claudio, he shows assertiveness - he is aware that he knows best. It also shows a more controlling side to him - Don Pedro likes to be in control, and he is not about to let it slip away from him.
   • Part of Don Pedro's Court
   • Part of Don Pedro's Court
   • Brother

2. Leonato

   • Hero
   • Beatrice
     • Hero
       • Cousin
       • In Love
   • Daughter
   • Niece

3. Dogberry

   • Verges

4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1BVkiQ_iqg