# Benedick — Much Ado About Nothing character guide

> Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Signior Benedick, the Benedick, O sweet Benedick, Benedick Peace, Benedick Fair Beatrice, Benedick Lady, Benedick Lady Beatrice, Benedick Tarry, good Beatrice, the sensible Benedick, Benedick Count Claudio, Benedick Friar, Benedick Not, Benedick Bull Jove, Benedick Yea, Benedick Troth, Benedick Sir, Benedick Beatrice, Benedick Thou, Benedick Boy

**First appearance:** 0001-act-i

## Snapshot

A lord and soldier who vows to die a bachelor, yet cannot resist trading insults with Beatrice at every opportunity.

## Who they are

Benedick returns from the wars as Don Pedro's witty companion, famous for swearing off marriage and for his running battle of wits with Beatrice. His pride in his independence is matched only by his fear of being mocked, which makes him an easy mark when the prince and Claudio conspire to make him believe Beatrice loves him. His transformation from confirmed bachelor to lovesick suitor provides the play's most satisfying comic arc.

## Relationships

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

_social_

Benedick is a friend and guest of Leonato, interacting with him as a respected elder and host.

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

_romantic_

They begin as witty rivals but eventually confess their love, becoming engaged by the play's end.

### [Don John](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/much_ado_about_nothing_se/characters/don_john)

_rivalry_

Benedick distrusts Don John and openly mocks him, recognizing his villainous nature.

### [Margaret](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/much_ado_about_nothing_se/characters/margaret)

_social_

Benedick interacts with Margaret as a fellow member of Leonato's household, often with playful teasing.

### [Antonio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/much_ado_about_nothing_se/characters/antonio)

_friendship_

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

### [Don Pedro](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/much_ado_about_nothing_se/characters/don_pedro)

_friendship_

Benedick is a close friend and companion of Don Pedro, often joking and confiding in him.

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

_romantic_

They begin as witty rivals but eventually confess their love, becoming engaged by the play's end.

### [Margaret](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/much_ado_about_nothing_se/characters/margaret)

_social_

Benedick interacts with Margaret as a fellow member of Leonato's household, often with playful teasing.

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

_social_

Benedick is a friend and guest of Leonato, interacting with him as a respected elder and host.

## In the story

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

Engages in witty banter with Beatrice and mocks Claudio's love for Hero, declaring he will remain a bachelor.

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

Confronts Claudio about Hero, rails against Beatrice, and later becomes the target of Don Pedro's matchmaking plot.

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

Overhears the staged conversation about Beatrice's love for him and decides to marry her.

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

Claims to have a toothache and is teased by the others for his melancholy, which they interpret as a sign of love.

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

Confesses his love for Beatrice and agrees to challenge Claudio to a duel for Hero's honor.

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

Challenges Claudio to a duel for Hero's honor, showing his loyalty and love for Beatrice.

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

Asks Margaret to fetch Beatrice, sings a love song, reveals he has challenged Claudio, and engages in witty repartee with Beatrice before they leave together upon hearing news of Hero's vindication.

### [Scene IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/much_ado_about_nothing_se/chapters/act-v-scene-iv)

Confesses his love for Beatrice, produces a sonnet, and agrees to marry her. He also forgives Claudio and suggests delaying Don John's punishment.

## Links

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