Don Pedro In Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing

Psychology says that the person who tries to keep everyone happy often ends up feeling the loneliest. Don Pedro is one of the mysterious characters of the play, Much Ado about Nothing by William Shakespeare, as he does not have a clear motive for any of his actions, like wooing Hero for Claudio, or setting up Benedick and Beatrice. Through meticulous analysis of his character, Don Pedro’s motive for his actions can be perceived as devotion to make others around him ebullient; as he continues to execute his plans for everyone’s happiness, he forgets about his own, making him melancholy at the end of the play. Don Pedro made various plans and actions to create happiness for his friends; first’s being wooing Hero for Claudio. Don Pedro helps

He helps Beatrice in three main ways: proposing to her, respecting her response to his proposal, and setting her up with Benedick. At the party, when Beatrice wallows in self-pity for not having a husband, the prince immediately responds with, “Lady Beatrice, I will get you one [husband]” (II, i, 273) and then offers himself to be her husband. Don Pedro, as a friend, clearly wants Beatrice to happy, and he acquiesces to Beatrice’s wishes to do so. Because Don Pedro feels this way towards Beatrice, he was sincere in his proposal. His spontaneous decision to become Beatrice’s husband shows that Don Pedro is willing to change his entire lifestyle to accommodate to someone else’s desires and feels strongly about Beatrice. To Don Pedro’s dismay, Beatrice declines his proposal. Instead of reacting resentfully, Don Pedro responds with, “Your silence most offends me, and to be merry best becomes you, for out o' question you were born in a merry hour” (II, i, 280-283). Responding in a civil manner to her rejection shows that Don Pedro respects Beatrice and wants her to be happy even if that’s not with him. Reacting this way also shows Don Pedro’s sacrificial love. Don Pedro is characterized as a very sensible man and would never make rash decisions without careful consideration. Therefore, he clearly considers Beatrice as a potential life partner and lover. By not fighting for his love, Don Pedro sacrifices his probable content future with Beatrice to appease her. This shows that Don Pedro will not pursue his own happiness if it interferes with someone else’s. Don Pedro comes to a conclusion after interacting with both Beatrice and Benedick; the conclusion is as he says, “She would make a good wife for Benedick” (II, i, 295). Setting up Beatrice and Benedick together would satisfy Beatrice’s want of a suitable husband. Don Pedro recognizes this, so he promptly creates a plan