Leonato’s brother

A judge.

A friend and fellow conspirator of Don John’s. This role will require stage intimacy. This role will be doubled with Second Watchman and Messenger.

An important nobleman from Aragon, sometimes referred to as “Prince.” Don Pedro is a longtime friend of Leonato, Hero’s father, and is also close to the soldiers who have been fighting under him—the younger Benedick and the very young Claudio. He is the most politically and socially powerful character in the play.

A respected, well-to-do, elderly noble at whose home, in Messina, Italy, the action is set. Leonato is the father of Hero and the uncle of Beatrice. As governor of Messina, he is second in social power only to Don Pedro.

Claudio falls in love with Hero upon his return to Messina. His unfortunately suspicious nature makes him quick to believe evil rumors and hasty to despair and take revenge. This role will require stage intimacy and may require stage combat.

An aristocratic soldier who has recently been fighting under Don Pedro, and a friend of Don Pedro and Claudio. Benedick is very witty, always making jokes and puns. He carries on a “merry war” of wits with Beatrice, but at the beginning of the play he swears he will never fall in love or marry. This role will require stage intimacy and may require stage combat.

Leonato’s niece and Hero’s cousin. Beatrice is “a pleasant-spirited lady” with a very sharp tongue. She is generous and loving, but, like Benedick, continually mocks other people with elaborately tooled jokes and puns. This role will require stage intimacy and may require stage combat.

Friends and ladies-in-waiting to Hero. This role will require stage intimacy.

Message carriers

Another member of the watch, alongside Dogberry and Verges. This role will be doubled with Friar Francis.

The constable in charge of the Watch, or chief policeman, of Messina. Dogberry is very sincere and takes his job seriously, but he has a habit of using exactly the wrong word to convey his meaning. This role will require may require stage combat. This role will be doubled with Don John.

The deputy to Dogberry, chief policeman of Messina. This role may require stage combat. This role will be doubled with Antonio.

A friend and fellow conspirator of Don John’s. This role will be doubled with Boy.

The beautiful young daughter of Leonato and the cousin of Beatrice. Hero is lovely, gentle, and kind. She falls in love with Claudio when he falls for her, but when Don John slanders her and Claudio rashly takes revenge, she suffers terribly. This role will require stage intimacy.

A priest who helps formulate the plan to save Hero’s reputation. This role will be doubled with Seacoal/First Watchman and the Sexton.

Don John: (Masc, mid 30s- mid 40s) The illegitimate brother of Don Pedro; sometimes called “the Bastard.” Don John is melancholy and sullen by nature, and he creates a dark scheme to ruin the happiness of Hero and Claudio. He is the villain of the play; his evil actions are motivated by his envy of his brother’s social authority. This role may require stage combat. This role will be doubled with Dogberry.