| Major themes | 1) Male-Female Relationshipsrivalry & romancegames, mischief & foolerygender roles in societyrole of marriage in societysexual morals |
| Don Pedro | The Prince of Aragon, highest ranking authority in the play.Mischievous, in a socially acceptable way. He’s the good guy.Employs his rank to conduct mischief for the benefit of others. To Claudio: “I have wood in thy name” (2.1.295). Offers a casual marriage proposal to Beatrice: “Will you have me, lady?” (2.1.322). Takes on one of “Hercules’ labors” (2.1.360) to bring Beatrice and Benedick together. Claims that “we are the only love gods” (2.1.382). |
| Don John | A malcontent who doesn’t socialize: “I am not of many words” (1.1.152). He looks “tartly” and “of a very melancholy disposition” (2.1.3,5). The prince’s bastard brother; jealous of the Prince, he finds self-security in rejecting society: “I had rather be a canker in a hedge than a rose in his [Don Pedro’s] grace, and it better fits my blood to be disdained of all than to fashion a carriage to rob love from any… In the meantime, let me be that I am, and seek not to alter me” (1.3.25-35). |
| Claudio | A young Florentine lord and accomplished soldier. He has “borne himself beyond the promise of his age, doing in the figure of a lamb the feats of a lion” (1.1.13-15). Although a fine soldier, he feels inexperienced in the game of love and has Don Pedro do his bidding.Rather gullible count, an easily persuaded flip-flopper: “Friendship is constant in all other things / Save in the office and affairs of love” (2.1.173-4). Generally quiet and soft-spoken, even in his love for Hero: “Silence is the perfectest herald of joy. I were but little happy if I could say how much” (2.1.303-4). However, he is most vocal in his public shaming of her. |
| Benedick | Belittles the idea of falling in love and getting married: “I will live a bachelor” (1.1.236-7). A satirist and fond of his own wit, he devises unrealistic expectations for the perfect wife: “But till all graces be in one woman, one woman shall not come in my grace” (2.3.28-9). Understands that what we say often isn’t what we mean: “There’s a double meaning in that” (2.3.254-5). Not a stereotypical romantic: “I was not born under a rhyming planet, nor I cannot woo in festival terms” (5.2.40-1). Finally defends the idea of love and marriage. “Get thee a wife, get thee a wife!” (5.4.122). |
| Leonato | The governor of Messina and father to Hero, a patriarchal figureOffers paternal love and guidance, and expects obedience from his daughter.His impatience with Dogberry allows the wedding fiasco to happen: “Neighbor’s, you are tedious” (3.5.17). Believing the prince’s words, he would rather be dead than have a “common stale” (4.1.64) for a daughter: “Hath no man’s dagger here a point for me?” (4.1.108). |
| Dogberry | The foolish constable who, ironically, helps solve everything.His orders are the opposite of what is expected: “I cannot see how sleeping should offend” (3.3.41-2); “If you do take a thief… let him show himself what he is, and steal out of your company (3.3.59-61). He ignorantly uses the wrong words: “O villain! Thou wilt be condemned into everlasting redemption for this” (4.2.55-6). In his foolishness, he is ironically accurate: “O that I had been writ down an ass!” (4.2.85-6). |
| Hero | Modest, reserved, pure & innocent, Leonato’s only heir.Participates in the antics to fool Beatrice into love: “If it prove so, then loving goes by haps; Some Cupid kills with arrows, some with traps” (3.1.105-6). Her fake death & resurrection parallels the symbolic act of baptism: “One Hero died defiled; but I do live, / And surely as I live, I am a maid” (5.4.63-4). |
| Beatrice | The governor’s niece; self-confident, independent, and usually “a pleasant-spirited lady” (2.1.337). She says, “I was born to speak all mirth and no matter” (2.1.326). Benedick can’t stand her; nickname’s her “Lady Disdain” (1.1.114). Overly picky about the ideal husband: “He that hath a beard is more than a youth, and he that hath no beard is less than a man; and he that is more than a youth is not for me, and he that is less than a man, I am not for him” (2.1.36-9). Understands the social limits of being a woman: “I cannot be a man with wishing; therefore I will die a woman with grieving” (4.1.320-1). |
| Antonio | Minor Charter the governor’s brother, who pretends to have a daughter, a copy of Hero. Fiercely proud of his family and protective of its honor, he advises Hero to “be ruled by your father” (2.1.51-2). |
| Balthasar | Minor Charter musician & attendant on Don Pedro, who modestly proclaims himself “an ill singer” (2.3.77) and “there’s not a not a note of mine that’s worth the noting” (2.3.55). |
| Borachio | Minor Charter follower of Don John who confesses all about his “amiable encounter” (3.3.152). with Margaret: “I have deceived even your very eyes. What your wisdoms could not discover, these shallow fools have brought to light” (5.1.231-3). |
| Conrade | Minor Charater A self-proclaimed “gentleman” (4.2.13) and follower of Don John, captured by the night watch. |
| Friar Frances – | Minor Charter – Chaplain to the household, he recognizes something is wrong: “There is some strange misprison in the princes” (4.1.184). Devises the plan to fake Hero’s death to trick the others into repentance. |
| Verges | Minor CharterDogberry’s deputy, serving his “partner” (3.3.63) with his delusions of grandeur. |
| Sexton | the voice of reason who writes down the facts, aiding Dogberry in the examination |
| Margaret | a waiting woman, who unknowingly partakes in a prank with sinister consequences against Claudio and Hero. |
| Ursula | – a waiting woman, who joins with Hero in the prank to join Beatrice and Benedick. |
Much ado about nothing Character Traits
July 22, 2019