# Antonio — Much Ado About Nothing character guide

> Antonio in Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** supporting

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

**First appearance:** 0003-act-i-scene-ii

## Snapshot

Leonato's plainspoken brother, who reads a messenger's tears as honest proof and keeps a daughter whose resemblance to Hero will matter more than anyone expects.

## Who they are

Antonio belongs to the older generation of Messina, kin to Leonato and uncle to Hero and Beatrice, present at the household's arrivals and celebrations. He is the kind of man who trusts a face washed with weeping — 'there are no faces truer than those that are so washed' — and measures joy by how openly it breaks. His steadiness and his daughter's likeness to Hero quietly set up one of the play's stranger consolations, making him more than a background uncle.

## Relationships

### [Leonato](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/much_ado_about_nothing_se/characters/leonato)

_family_

Antonio is Leonato's brother, offering support and advice throughout the play's conflicts.

### [Beatrice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/much_ado_about_nothing_se/characters/beatrice)

_family_

Antonio is Beatrice's uncle, and they share a warm, familial bond with mutual affection.

### [Benedick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/much_ado_about_nothing_se/characters/benedick)

_friendship_

Antonio is friendly with Benedick, participating in the scheme to make him fall in love with Beatrice.

## In the story

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/much_ado_about_nothing_se/chapters/act-i-scene-ii)

Reports overheard conversation between Don Pedro and Claudio.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/much_ado_about_nothing_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-i)

Briefly appears, notes Don John's absence, and encourages Hero to obey her father.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/much_ado_about_nothing_se/characters/antonio
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/much_ado_about_nothing_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/much_ado_about_nothing_se/characters