teachers

[Lauren]

it's rather funny - i'm studying the play now, and our teacher put up that Beatrice WAS Antonio's daughter. i'm just starting to question what teachers say now.... i now agree that Beatrice is not Antonio's daughter, s a result of your site! Thanks for the help!! You'll definately get me that A+ that i need! Thanks again :)

[super_princess1]

Beatrice was Antonio's daughter. Whoever told you differantly was wrong.

[Nymphamadria]

So-
Antonio = Beatrice's Father
Leonato = Hero's Father
....

I love this play. Definitely my favourite.

[Page1000]

It's never actually said anywhere that Beatrice is Antonio's daughter, though, and they don't ever call each other "father" or "daughter". Antonio doesn't talk to her much, or order her to do anything, like you'd imagine he would.

In Act 2, Scene 1, it's Leonato telling Beatrice that if Don Pedro seeks to marry her she should accept, not Antonio. Surely it'd be her father ordering her around, not her guardian?

Also, when Hero is supposed to have died, Leonato talks of Antonio's (non-existent) daughter who Claudio can now marry, declaring her his and Antonio's sole remaining heir. If Beatrice was Antonio's daughter, surely she would be an heir as well? This could mean that she isn't, and

I'm so confused...

[libbylovebug]

Beatrice is NOT Antonio's daughter.
the death of Hero was fake and planned so that Claudio would actually end up marrying Hero.
its complicated.

but again beatrice is NOT antonios daughter!!

[hibz]

people trust me... NO ONE IS ANTONIO'S DAUGHTER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hero is Leonato's daughter.. and Beatrice's parents are not there. Antonio is just Leonato's brother.... dont get confused and dont get it wrong.

[byquist]

hibz is right. Doesn't Leonato sort of adopt Beatrice? Or is it that Hero and Beatrice are cousins, maybe?

[jaymrobinson]

Although the word "cousin" is used in the play, the word was used more loosely in this time period, and could often refer to one's relative. Since there is no explicit information in the play about the parents of Beatrice, it cannot be known.