Much Ado About Nothing

• Claudio


  A young lord & soldier
• Claudio's actions


  1. Act 1, 51 Falls in love with Hero

  2. Act 2, 51 Fails for Don John's first trick - thinks Don Pedro has betrayed him

  3. Act 4, 51 Shames Hero at their wedding after believing she's been unfaithful

  4. Act 5, 51 Apologises to Leonato & agrees to many Hero's 'cousin'
• Claudio


  • Respected-in war, he has "borne himself beyond the promise of his age" “figure of a lamb, feats of a lion”
  • Easily influenced-quick to believe Don Pedro & Hero have betrayed him
  • Immature-lets his emotions get the better of him, e.g, shames Hero publicly without proof of her unfaithfulness
• Benedick


  A witty lord & soldier
• Benedick's actions


  1. Act 1, 51-Tells Don Pedro & Claudio that he'll never get married

  2. Act 2, 53-Tricked into thinking Beatrice loves him. Realises he loves her

  3. Act 4, 51-Agrees to duel Claudio at Beatrice's request

  4. Act 5, 54-Proposes to Beatrice
• Benedick


  • Cynical - wary of women because he doesn't want to become a cuckold
  • Sensitive - says "every word stabs" when Beatrice teases him
  • Honourable - e.g. challenges Claudio to a duel after he dishonours Hero
• Hero's actions


  1. Act 2, 51-Wooed by Don Pedro on Claudio's behalf

  2. Act 3, 51-Tricks Beatrice into thinking Benedick loves her

  3. Act 4, 51 - Accused of being unfaithful, Pretends to be dead

  4. Act 5, 54 - Reveals she's still alive & reunites with Claudio
• Hero


  • Obedient-obeys Leonato
  • Quiet & polite around men
  • Chaste - her reputation must be noble
  • Playful - teases Beatrice about Benedick
• Beatrice


  Hero's cousin
• Beatrice's actions


  1. Act 1, 51 Mocks Benedick when he returns from the war & scorns love

  2. Act 3, 51 Falls for Hero's trick- believes Benedick loves her & realises she loves him

  3. Act 4, 51 Defends Hero when Claudio says she's been unfaithful

  4. Act 5, 54 Accepts Benedick's proposal
• Beatrice

  • Independent - doesn't conform to female stereotypes, e.g. she's outspoken
  • Witty - often uses wordplay & puns. She "mocks all her wooers out of suit
  • Caring - e.g. doesn't abandon Hero & shows affection towards Benedick
• Don John

  Don Pedro's brother
• Don John's actions


  Tricks Claudio into thinking Hero has been unfaithful
• Don John


  • Angry & decides to ruin Don Pedro's plans
  • Devious - tricks Claudio
• Don Pedro


  Prince of Aragon
• Don Pedro's actions


  Act 2, 51-Takes charge of wooing Hero & Claudio that she shall be his
• Don Pedro


  • Loyal - good friend to Claudio & uses his influence to help him
• Dogberry


  Head of the Watch
• Dogberry's actions


  1. Act 3, 53 - Briefs the Watch on their duty

  2. Act 3, 55 - Tries but fails) to tell Leonato about Don John's plan

  3. Act 4, 52 - Interrogates prisoners
• Dogberry


  • Incompetent - uses malipropisms & doesn't get to the point - Leonato calls him "tedious"
  • Self-important - tries unsuccessfully to speak like a nobleman & thinks highly of himself
• Leonato


  Governor of Messina, Beatrice’s Father
• Leonato's actions


  1. Act 1, 51-Welcomes the soldiers to his house

  2. Act 2,51 Throws midsummer ball

  3. Act 4,51-Initially angry with Hero, then supports her

  4. Act 5, 51-Was to duel Claudio

  5. Act 5, 54-Forgives Claudia & Don Pedro
• Leonato


  • Respected
  • Traditional-expects Hero to be defended by him
  • Easily influenced-quick to believe Hero has been unfaithful
• Other characters


  • Borachio-Don John's devious companion
  • Margaret & Ursula-Hero's serving women
  • Verges-Dogberry's incompetent assistant
  • Conrade-one of Don John's followers
  • Antonio-Leonato's brother
  • Balthasar-servant
  • Friar Francis