Character guide

Beatrice

major

Also known as Beatrice Scratching, Don Pedro Lady, Don Pedro Lady Beatrice, Beatrice That, Don Pedro The Lady Beatrice, Beatrice O Lord, Beatrice Do, Beatrice O, Beatrice Foul words, Beatrice Dead, Beatrice Benedictus, Benedictus

Witty niece of Leonato, engages in a merry war of words with Benedick.

Benedick

major

Also known as Signior Benedick, the Benedick, O sweet Benedick, Benedick Peace, Benedick Fair Beatrice, Benedick Lady, Benedick Lady Beatrice, Benedick Tarry, good Beatrice, the sensible Benedick, Benedick Count Claudio, Benedick Friar, Benedick Not, Benedick Bull Jove, Benedick Yea, Benedick Troth, Benedick Sir, Benedick Beatrice, Benedick Thou, Benedick Boy

A lord and soldier who swears he will never marry, but falls for Beatrice.

Claudio

major

Also known as Count Claudio, the Count Claudio, Claudio Hero, Claudio O, Claudio O Hero, Claudio Sweet Hero, Don Pedro Count Claudio, Claudio Leonato, Claudio Bait, Claudio Whither, Claudio Silence, Signior Claudio

Young lord of Florence, falls in love with Hero and is deceived by Don John.

Hero

major

Also known as fair Hero, Lady Hero, Hero Good Margaret, Hero Good Ursula, the former Hero

Gentle daughter of Leonato, betrothed to Claudio, falsely accused of infidelity.

Don Pedro

major

Also known as Pedro, Don Pedro Good Signior Leonato, Enter Don Pedro, Don Pedro Good den, Don Pedro Leonato, Don Pedro Yea, Don Pedro Thou, Don Pedro Gentlemen, Reenter Don Pedro, Messenger Don Pedro, Don Pedro Officers, Don Pedro The former Hero

Prince of Aragon, orchestrates the match between Claudio and Hero.

Leonato

major

Also known as Signior Leonato, Leonato Brief, Leonato Marry, Leonato Friar, Leonato Niece, Leonato Brother Anthony, Leonato Thine, Leonato O, Leonato O Lord, Leonato O Fate, Leonato Cousin, Claudio Leonato

Governor of Messina, father of Hero and uncle to Beatrice.

Don John

supporting

Also known as John, Don John Signior, Exeunt Don John, Don John Fie, Don John Sir, Prince John

Melancholy bastard brother of Don Pedro who plots against Claudio and Hero.

Borachio

supporting

Also known as Enter Borachio, Borachio Marry, Borachio Conrade, Borachio Yea, Borachio Tush

Follower of Don John who helps frame Hero for infidelity.

Conrade

supporting

Also known as Conrade Yea, Conrade Masters, Conrade Off

Accomplice of Don John and Borachio in the plot against Hero.

Dogberry

supporting

Also known as Dogberry Yea, Dogberry Goodman Verges

Bumbling constable of Messina who uncovers Don John's plot.

Verges

supporting

Also known as Dogberry Goodman Verges

Headborough and Dogberry's incompetent partner in law enforcement.

Margaret

supporting

Also known as Margaret Troth, good Meg, Margaret God, Margaret So, Margaret And God, sweet Mistress Margaret, Margaret Clap, Meg, Hero Good Margaret, Exit Margaret

Hero's waiting-gentlewoman who unwittingly aids the plot against her mistress.

Ursula

supporting

Also known as Ursula Madam, Hero Good Ursula

Hero's gentlewoman who helps Beatrice overhear that Benedick loves her.

Antonio

supporting

Also known as Signior Antonio, Antonio To Hero, Exit Antonio, Antonio Farewell, Anthony, Leonato Brother Anthony

Leonato's brother and father of a daughter who resembles Hero.

Friar Francis

supporting

Also known as Friar, Leonato Friar, Benedick Friar, Friar Lady, Friar Yea, Friar Francis

Wise friar who devises the plan to fake Hero's death.

Balthasar

minor

Also known as Exit Balthasar

Attendant to Don Pedro who sings 'Sigh no more, ladies'.

Sexton

minor

Church official who examines Dogberry's prisoners at the trial.

Messenger

minor

Also known as Messenger O

Delivers news of Don Pedro's arrival to Leonato.

Boy

minor

Also known as Benedick Boy

Servant boy who attends Benedick and delivers messages.

Count John

minor

Alternate title for Don John, the bastard prince.

Hero (fair)

minor

Also known as fair Hero

Epithet for Hero used in dialogue and stage directions.