An important nobleman from Aragon, sometimes referred to as "Prince". Don Pedro is a longtime friend of Leonato, Hero's father, and is also close to the soldiers who have been fighting under him - the younger Benedick and the very young Claudio. Don Pedro is generous, courteous intelligent, and loving to his friends, but he is also quick to believe the evil of others and hasty to take revenge. He is the most politically and socially powerful character in the play.