*(all pictures are from the 1993 movie, "Much Ado About Nothing," an incredibly accurate interpretation of Shakespeare's play)*


DON PEDRO: Nobleman and “Prince” of Aragon. Don Pedro comes to stay at Messina with his soldiers to visit his close friend Leonato. He is a kind father figure willing to help his friends with their problems. The most socially powerful character in the play.


LEONATO: Respected governor of Messina and longtime friend of Don Pedro. He has one daughter and one niece, Hero and Beatrice, respectively.


BEATRICE: Leonato’s headstrong niece. A loving friend, she has a sharp tongue and almost always wins any argument. Enjoys battles of wit with Benedick.


BENEDICK: Young man from Padua. One of Don Pedro’s soldiers and friends with Claudio. He swears he will never marry although he harbors feelings for Beatrice.


HERO: Leonato’s beautiful and innocent daughter. She and Claudio fall in love with one another.


CLAUDIO: A young, heroic soldier of Don Pedro. When he comes to Messina, he immediately falls in love with Hero. But when Don John slanders Hero, he hastily takes revenge.


DON JOHN: Don Pedro’s illegitimate brother. Don John is bitter and vengeful towards his fellow soldiers and sets out to wreak havoc.


BORACHIO: One of Don John’s henchmen. He helps Don John carry out his plan to ruin Claudio’s marriage, using Margaret to make Claudio think Hero is being unfaithful.


CONRADE: Don John’s most loyal henchman.


DOGBERRY & VERGES: Chief policemen of “the watch.” They arrest Borachio and Conrade and bring Hero’s innocence to light.


MARGARET: One of Hero’s serving women and Borachio’s lover. She unknowingly takes part in Don John’s evil plan.


URSULA: One of Hero’s serving women, helps bring Beatrice and Benedick together.


BALTHAZAR: One of Leonato’s waiting men.


ANTONIO: Leonato’s brother.


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