SparkNotes - Much Ado About Nothing

You must translate: tis fit we understand them. (Hamlet, 4.1.12)

When Shakespeares words make your head spin, our translations will help you sort out whats happening, whos saying what, and why.

Like Beatrice, Benedick is very witty and fond of mocking other people with elaborate jokes, comparisons, and puns. He swears he will never marry, as he is very critical of women and does not trust any of them not to cheat on him. ClaudioA young soldier who has won great acclaim fighting under Don Pedro during the recent wars. Claudio falls in love with Hero upon his return to Messina. Though he is valiant and loving, he is unfortunately gullible, quick to believe nasty rumors and to feel that hes been betrayed by those close to him. HeroThe beautiful young daughter of Leonato, and cousin to Beatrice.

Hero is lovely, gentle, and innocent. Don PedroA very important nobleman from Aragon, often referred to simply as the Prince. Don Pedro is a longtime friend of Leonato, Heros father, and is also close to the soldiers who have been fighting under himthe younger Benedick and the very young Claudio. Don Pedro is generous, courteous, intelligent, and loving to his friends, but he is also quick to believe evil of others and hasty to take revenge. He is the most politically and socially powerful character in the play. LeonatoThe father of Hero and the uncle of Beatrice.

Leonato is the governor of Messina and a respected, well-to-do, elderly nobleman. The action of the play takes place in his home. Leonato is second in status only to Don Pedro. Don JohnDon Pedros illegitimate half brother, sometimes referred to simply as the Bastard. Don John is melancholy and sullen by nature, and he creates a dark scheme to ruin the happiness of Hero and Claudio. MargaretHeros serving woman, who unwittingly helps Borachio and Don John deceive Claudio into thinking that Hero is unfaithful. MargaretHeros serving woman, who unwittingly helps Borachio and Don John deceive Claudio into thinking that Hero is unfaithful.

Unlike Ursula, Heros other lady-in-waiting, Margaret is lower class. Though she is honest, she does have some dealings with the villainous world of Don John: her lover is the mistrustful and easily bribed Borachio. Also unlike Ursula, Margaret loves to break decorum, especially with bawdy jokes and teasing. BorachioAn associate of Don John, and the lover of Margaret, Heros serving woman. Borachio conspires with Don John to trick Claudio and Don Pedro into thinking that Hero is unfaithful to Claudio. ConradOne of Don Johns intimate associates, entirely devoted to Don John and his schemes. DogberryThe chief policeman of Messina, in charge of the watch. DogberryThe chief policeman of Messina, in charge of the watch.

Dogberry is very sincere and takes his job seriously, but he has a habit of using exactly the wrong word to convey his meaning. Dogberry is one of the few middle-class characters in the play, though his desire to speak formally and elaborately like the noblemen becomes an occasion for parody. VergesThe deputy to Dogberry, chief policeman of Messina. AntonioLeonatos elderly brother, and Hero and Beatrices uncle. BalthasarA waiting man in Leonatos household, and a musician. Balthasar flirts with Margaret at the masked party and helps Leonato, Claudio, and Don Pedro trick Benedick into falling in love with Beatrice.

Balthasar sings the song Sigh no more, ladies, sigh no more, which encourages women to accept mens infidelity as natural. UrsulaOne of Heros waiting women.

LEONATO A victory is twice itself when the achiever brings home full numbers. I find here that Don Pedro hath bestowed much honor on a young Florentine called Claudio. MESSENGER Much deserved on his part, and equally remembered by Don Pedro. He hath borne himself beyond the promise of his age, doing in the figure of a lamb the feats of a lion. He hath indeed better bettered expectation than you must expect of me to tell you how. LEONATO He hath an uncle here in Messina will be very much glad of it.

MESSENGER I have already delivered him letters, and there appears much joy in himeven so much that joy could not show itself modest enough without a badge of bitterness. LEONATO Did he break out into tears? MESSENGER In great measure. LEONATO A kind overflow of kindness. There are no faces truer than those that are so washed. How much better is it to weep at joy than to joy at weeping! BEATRICE I pray you, is Signor Montanto returned from the wars or no? MESSENGER I know none of that name, lady. There was none such in the army of any sort.