Friar Francis

E851623

Friar Francis is a minor but pivotal clergyman in Shakespeare’s comedy "Much Ado About Nothing," known for devising the plan to fake Hero’s death to restore her honor.

All labels observed (2)

How this entity was disambiguated

Statements (45)

Predicate Object
instanceOf Shakespearean character
clergyman
fictional character
supporting character
appearsIn Much Ado About Nothing
appearsInAct Act IV of Much Ado About Nothing
associatedWithCharacter Beatrice
Benedick
Claudio
Hero
Leonato
characterTrait compassionate
prudent
strategic
characterType wise counselor
creator William Shakespeare
dramaticFunction drives resolution of main conflict
dramaticTechnique uses feigned death as plot device
fictionalUniverse Much Ado About Nothing universe
firstPerformanceApproximateDate circa 1598–1599
influencesCharacterArc Claudio
Leonato
languageOfWork Early Modern English
literaryCanon Shakespearean canon
literaryPeriod English Renaissance drama
medium stage play
moralAlignment benevolent
moralRole defends Hero’s innocence
narrativeFunction catalyst for reconciliation
voice of reason
nationalityOfWorkContext English
occupation friar
religiousOrder Franciscan
religiousStatus Catholic cleric
roleInPlot devises plan to fake Hero’s death
seeks to restore Hero’s honor
settingOfActivity Messina
supportsCharacter Hero
themeInvolvement deception
forgiveness
honor
reputation
workAuthor William Shakespeare
workGenre comedy
workTitle Much Ado About Nothing

How these facts were elicited

Referenced by (4)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Hero defendedBy Friar Francis
Act IV of Much Ado About Nothing notableMoment Friar Francis argues for Hero’s innocence
linked to: Friar Francis