# Verges — Much Ado About Nothing character guide

> Verges in Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Dogberry Goodman Verges

**First appearance:** 0012-act-iii-scene-iii

## Snapshot

Dogberry's ancient, well-meaning partner in the watch, forever deferring to his colleague's grander nonsense with a patient 'Goodman Dogberry.'

## Who they are

Verges is the headborough who supplies the watch with its only shred of procedural sense, though he would never dream of contradicting Dogberry. He is old, gentle, and hopelessly outmatched by his partner's self-regard, yet he takes the job seriously in his fashion. Together the pair turn the play's most serious discovery into its most reliable comedy.

## In the story

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

Assists Dogberry in instructing the Watch, offering occasional agreement.

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

Supports Dogberry's report but adds little clarity.

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

Assists Dogberry in the examination, echoing his malapropisms.

## Links

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