Who Hero is
Hero is the daughter of Leonato, the governor who welcomes Don Pedro and his soldiers to Messina. Her gentle character contrasts with the sharp wit of Leonato's niece Beatrice.
Her love story with Claudio sits beside the sparring relationship between Beatrice and Benedick. Through Hero, the play shows how easily gossip can threaten a woman's reputation.
What Hero wants
Hero hopes for a happy marriage to Claudio and for a good name. Don Pedro helps their courtship by speaking to her for Claudio at a masked dance. After a rumour briefly confuses the match, Leonato agrees to their marriage.
Hero and the others in the story
Hero also helps bring Beatrice and Benedick closer by taking part in a garden trick. With her maid Ursula, she lets Beatrice overhear that Benedick loves her.
While Hero helps one romance grow, Don John plots against her own. His follower Borachio proposes a deception meant to make Claudio distrust her.
A best-known line
“Some Cupid kills with arrows, some with traps.”
Questions
Who is Hero's father?
Hero's father is Leonato, the governor of Messina and host to the visiting soldiers.
Who falls in love with Hero?
Claudio, a young lord who serves under Don Pedro, falls in love with Hero.
Does Hero help Beatrice and Benedick?
Yes, Hero joins Ursula in a staged conversation that encourages Beatrice to admit her feelings for Benedick.