Don Antonio Character Analysis in The Rover

Although Don Pedro wishes for Antonio, the highborn son of a viceroy, to marry his sister Florinda, Antonio only has eyes for the seductive prostitute Angelica. He pays her thousand-crown price, and even duels for her, although he is wounded in the process, and ends up asking Belvile to fight in his place. In fact, his devotion to Angelica is part of the reason that an angry Pedro finally stands aside and allows Florinda to marry Belvile.

Don Antonio Character Timeline in The Rover

The timeline below shows where the character Don Antonio appears in The Rover. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Hellena goes on, asking if Florinda loves one of two Spanish noblemen: Don Antonio the viceroy’s son or the rich but elderly Don Vincentio, whom their father wishes for... (full context)

...fortune, and is living in exile from his homeland. Hellena says that even marrying Don Antonio would be better than a life with Vincentio. (full context)

...Pedro wishes to go against his orders, and to marry Florinda to his friend Don Antonio, who is “brave and young.” He asserts that Florinda and Antonio will marry the very... (full context)

In anguish, Florinda laments that she will not be able to escape Don Antonio, who is both young and rich. Hellena, meanwhile, begs Callis not to lock her away.... (full context)

...from her house by Don Pedro in order to make way for the wealthy Don Antonio. He goes on to say that Florinda has signaled her love through letters, and by... (full context)

Seeing Don Pedro return, Angelica reveals that she means to seduce both him and Don Antonio. As if on cue, Antonio (also masked) attended by his page Diego and a group... (full context)

Antonio wonders whether he should purchase Angelica’s services, and Diego urges him to do so, saying... (full context)

Pedro now realizes that his masked rival is Antonio; he is appalled both because his friend has scorned Florinda, and because he himself may... (full context)

...the attention of her admirers, Angelica begins to play a love song on her lute. Antonio, in turn, pulls off his mask and begins to blow her kisses, promising her a... (full context)

Pedro and Antonio resolve to duel the next day in the public square, called the Molo; Pedro says... (full context)

Left behind, Antonio wonders who his rival for Florinda’s heart might be (still not realizing that it is... (full context)

...is happening. Although she commands the men to stop, Blunt and Willmore begin to fight Antonio and his companions. (full context)

At the mention of tomorrow, Belvile remembers that Florinda is supposed to marry Don Antonio that day (not knowing about the rift between Antonio and Don Pedro). He wonders whether... (full context)

...the night with her, and is about to go in. As he does so, however, Antonio enters with his sword, and announces that he has paid Angelica’s fee. He resolves to... (full context)

As Moretta enters to let Antonio into the house, Willmore reacts with rage that another man will be sleeping with Angelica.... (full context)

...masked revelers enter, and cry out that a man has been killed (Willmore has injured Antonio). Still extremely drunk, Wilmore says that if a man is dead, he can go home... (full context)

...enter, having heard that there were swords drawn during Carnival (a terrible crime). Recognizing Don Antonio, and seeing that he is hurt, they believe that Belvile has done the deed; they... (full context)

Act 4 opens with Belvile alone, imprisoned in a darkened room in Antonio’s house, bemoaning his ill fortune and the loss of his beloved Florinda. Antonio enters, wearing... (full context)

Antonio reveals why he has given Belvile the sword (even as Belvile secretly curses his name).... (full context)

Antonio thanks Belvile and exits, telling him that his costume is within the house and day... (full context)

...her brother is going to fight Belvile; the only other man who loves her is Antonio, and she believes that he and Pedro’s friendship is too strong for them to duel. (full context)

Don Pedro enters, masked, and remarks that Antonio is late. Florinda is surprised to hear Antonio’s name, as Pedro jealously imagines his former... (full context)

Belvile enters dressed as Antonio; Florinda is relieved, believing that her beloved is not fighting the duel. He greets Pedro... (full context)

Don Pedro, impressed, believes that Antonio (in fact Belvile) has proved his love for Florinda. At the mention of her name,... (full context)

Don Pedro congratulates Belvile (still thinking him to be Antonio) on regaining Florinda’s hand, and his own friendship. At last recognizing Florinda, Belvile swears to... (full context)

Dismayed at having to marry the man she still thinks is Don Antonio, Florinda protests. Belvile draws her aside, and reveals his identity to her as Callis distracts... (full context)

...Florinda, refuses to hurt Don Pedro, who says that although the cavalier won Florinda by Antonio’s sword, he fought bravely. Still, he refuses to give his sister to Belvile, and exits... (full context)

...Angelica and Willmore; Moretta notices her, and, hoping that she is a page for Don Antonio, points her out to Angelica. (full context)

Sebastian enters, announcing Don Antonio; hearing his name, Hellena flees, believing that he may see through her disguise. Angelica resolves... (full context)

...means to escape that very day, and that she would rather die than marry Don Antonio. Valeria has also told him that Florinda is currently confined to her chamber by Don... (full context)

Don Antonio enters unexpectedly, having seen Angelica’s coach at the door of the house. Though injured, he... (full context)

Don Pedro reenters, but hides when he sees Don Antonio with Angelica. Obeying Angelica’s command, Antonio says that he will not shoot Willmore, for her... (full context)

As Angelica leaves, Don Antonio goes to follow her, but Don Pedro stops him, asking why he did not attend... (full context)

The still angry Don Pedro resolves to give Florinda to Belvile in revenge against Antonio. Willmore reveals that the marriage has already taken place; he adds that if Belvile is... (full context)