# Much Ado About Nothing — Character guide

> Key figures in Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare.

- [Beatrice](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/much_ado_about_nothing_se/characters/beatrice.md): Witty niece of Leonato, engages in a merry war of words with Benedick.
- [Benedick](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/much_ado_about_nothing_se/characters/benedick.md): A lord and soldier who swears he will never marry, but falls for Beatrice.
- [Claudio](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/much_ado_about_nothing_se/characters/claudio.md): Young lord of Florence, falls in love with Hero and is deceived by Don John.
- [Hero](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/much_ado_about_nothing_se/characters/hero.md): Gentle daughter of Leonato, betrothed to Claudio, falsely accused of infidelity.
- [Don Pedro](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/much_ado_about_nothing_se/characters/don_pedro.md): Prince of Aragon, orchestrates the match between Claudio and Hero.
- [Leonato](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/much_ado_about_nothing_se/characters/leonato.md): Governor of Messina, father of Hero and uncle to Beatrice.
- [Don John](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/much_ado_about_nothing_se/characters/don_john.md): Melancholy bastard brother of Don Pedro who plots against Claudio and Hero.
- [Borachio](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/much_ado_about_nothing_se/characters/borachio.md): Follower of Don John who helps frame Hero for infidelity.
- [Conrade](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/much_ado_about_nothing_se/characters/conrade.md): Accomplice of Don John and Borachio in the plot against Hero.
- [Dogberry](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/much_ado_about_nothing_se/characters/dogberry.md): Bumbling constable of Messina who uncovers Don John's plot.
- [Verges](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/much_ado_about_nothing_se/characters/verges.md): Headborough and Dogberry's incompetent partner in law enforcement.
- [Margaret](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/much_ado_about_nothing_se/characters/margaret.md): Hero's waiting-gentlewoman who unwittingly aids the plot against her mistress.
- [Ursula](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/much_ado_about_nothing_se/characters/ursula.md): Hero's gentlewoman who helps Beatrice overhear that Benedick loves her.
- [Antonio](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/much_ado_about_nothing_se/characters/antonio.md): Leonato's brother and father of a daughter who resembles Hero.
- [Friar Francis](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/much_ado_about_nothing_se/characters/friar_francis.md): Wise friar who devises the plan to fake Hero's death.
- [Balthasar](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/much_ado_about_nothing_se/characters/balthasar.md): Attendant to Don Pedro who sings 'Sigh no more, ladies'.
- [Sexton](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/much_ado_about_nothing_se/characters/sexton.md): Church official who examines Dogberry's prisoners at the trial.
- [Messenger](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/much_ado_about_nothing_se/characters/messenger.md): Delivers news of Don Pedro's arrival to Leonato.
- [Boy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/much_ado_about_nothing_se/characters/boy.md): Servant boy who attends Benedick and delivers messages.
- [Count John](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/much_ado_about_nothing_se/characters/count_john.md): Alternate title for Don John, the bastard prince.
- [Hero (fair)](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/much_ado_about_nothing_se/characters/hero_fair.md): Epithet for Hero used in dialogue and stage directions.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/much_ado_about_nothing_se/characters