Don Pedro Character Analysis in The Rover

The main antagonist of the play, the rigid and controlling Don Pedro wishes for his sister Florinda to marry his friend Don Antonio, and for his sister Hellena to become a nun, in order to safeguard their virtues. He, hypocritically, desires the beauteous prostitute Angelica, and eventually quarrels with both Antonio and Willmore over her affections. After being tricked and threatened by the Englishmen, Don Pedro is forced to allow his sisters to marry Belvile and Willmore—but only after, at one point, he unintentionally menaces the disguised Florinda, unaware that she is his sister.

Don Pedro Character Timeline in The Rover

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

...living in Naples, where it is Carnival time, under the care of their brother Don Pedro, as their noble father is currently away in Rome. Florinda is appalled at Hellena’s impertinence,... (full context)

...in Spain, in the city of Pampelona, the English soldier saved both her and Don Pedro from the violence. She says that she now feels obligated to him, but that some... (full context)

Don Pedro enters holding a mask for Carnival, along with his servant Stephano. He brings along with... (full context)

Don Pedro mentions Belvile, and notices Florinda’s blush when she hears the name. When he questions her,... (full context)

Although acknowledging Belvile’s bravery, Don Pedro reminds Florinda of Don Vincentio’s fortune, but his sister fires back, reminding Pedro of Vincentio’s... (full context)

...that the “Jewels” Belvile has to offer are just as valuable as Vincentio’s wealth. Don Pedro mocks her, asking if she learned this in the nunnery. Hellena continues, saying that Vincentio... (full context)

Hellena expresses disbelief that Don Pedro will force her into a nunnery and force Florinda into the confinement of a loveless... (full context)

Hellena twists Don Pedro’s words, speculating about the luxurious life to which he refers. She speculates about Don Vincentio’s... (full context)

For all Hellena’s jibes, Don Pedro asserts that Florinda will marry Don Vincentio no matter what. When Hellena says that it... (full context)

Enraged, Don Pedro tells Callis to lock Hellena up, keeping her from the Carnival until it comes time... (full context)

Don Pedro, meanwhile, orders Callis to watch Hellena closely, while confiding in Florinda that he has been... (full context)

When Florinda expresses surprise, Don Pedro replies that he is doing this for her sake. She replies that she will try... (full context)

...knows that Florinda loves him, but he has been barred from her house by Don Pedro in order to make way for the wealthy Don Antonio. He goes on to say... (full context)

...her brother’s garden gate to receive her love. As Belvile attempts to question her, Don Pedro appears with other revelers; Florinda pulls away, but succeeds in giving Belvile a letter. (full context)

Seeing Don Pedro enter in his mask (along with Stephano), the Englishmen exit to watch the proceedings. Pedro,... (full context)

...their attention adds to her vanity. The servant then tells her that he recognized Don Pedro through his mask; she responds with delight, knowing that his uncle (also her former lover)... (full context)

Angelica reflects that Don Pedro is handsome and wealthy, but inconstant. She asserts that inconstancy is universal to all men... (full context)

Seeing Don Pedro return, Angelica reveals that she means to seduce both him and Don Antonio. As if... (full context)

Pedro now realizes that his masked rival is Antonio; he is appalled both because his friend... (full context)

...off his mask and begins to blow her kisses, promising her a thousand pounds. Enraged, Pedro counters, saying that he, too, will pay a thousand pounds. The two men quarrel and... (full context)

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

...who his rival for Florinda’s heart might be (still not realizing that it is Don Pedro), and speculating that it might be Belvile (whose name he has heard from Pedro). (full context)

...afternoon so that Hellena can meet Willmore. They are still masked. Having recently found Don Pedro in an ill humor, Florinda wonders whether he has discovered their recent escapade. Hellena reacts... (full context)

Seeing Belvile, but hearing her brother Don Pedro approach, Florinda quickly instructs her lover to come to her chamber window, and tells him... (full context)

Belvile, Willmore, and Frederick enter the street outside of Don Pedro’s house; Willmore is dejected, Belvile furious, and Frederick is attempting to prevent a fight between... (full context)

...to marry Don Antonio that day (not knowing about the rift between Antonio and Don Pedro). He wonders whether he may throw any obstacles in Antonio’s way, and Willmore swears he... (full context)

...Belvile of attacking him twice, mistaking him not only for Willmore, but also for Don Pedro (remember that Antonio didn’t recognize Pedro when they were both outside Angelica’s in Act 2,... (full context)

...wishes him to fight the duel over Florinda’s honor that he has set with Don Pedro (although neither Belvile nor Antonio knows that Pedro is the opponent). Belvile is incensed both... (full context)

...morning of the duel, Florinda enters the Molo with Callis and Stephano to see Don Pedro fight; the two women are disguised. Florinda is terrified because Belvile has not come to... (full context)

Stephano takes his leave of Florinda, because he sees Don Pedro coming; he tells her that Pedro is still suspicious about the events of last night,... (full context)

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

...Antonio; Florinda is relieved, believing that her beloved is not fighting the duel. He greets Pedro (though he still does not know the identity of his opponent), who bitterly accuses him... (full context)

Florinda runs into the duel, begging the two men to stop. Pedro refuses, and the two fight, until Belvile disarms Pedro. At this, a masked Florinda intercedes... (full context)

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

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

...protests. Belvile draws her aside, and reveals his identity to her as Callis distracts Don Pedro. She expresses surprise that she did not know him from his voice alone. (full context)

...money. Seeing their companion, the ever-indiscreet Willmore runs to embrace him, calling his name. Don Pedro, realizing his mistake, attempts to take Florinda back; at this, Belvile draws his sword to... (full context)

Belvile, out of love for Florinda, refuses to hurt Don Pedro, who says that although the cavalier won Florinda by Antonio’s sword, he fought bravely. Still,... (full context)

...him. After they both are gone, Angelica reveals that she knows Hellena’s identity as Don Pedro’s sister, and believes Willmore to be in love with the noblewoman. She curses his unfaithfulness—he... (full context)

...Valeria has also told him that Florinda is currently confined to her chamber by Don Pedro, but that her brother is at church. Upon hearing this, Belvile has resolved to search... (full context)

Seeing both Belvile and Don Pedro on the street, the women put on their masks. The men enter, along with Willmore,... (full context)

Frederick enters with news of Blunt’s misfortune. Don Pedro and Belvile are amused, and the Englishman offers to take Pedro to Blunt, in order... (full context)

...Willmore and report on his activities. She then realizes that she is close to Don Pedro, and hastily exits. As she does so, Belvile, Willmore, and Don Pedro cross the stage... (full context)

A servant enters, announcing Belvile’s arrival along with that of Don Pedro. Blunt refuses to see either of them, while Frederick goes down to meet them—but not... (full context)

...no one knows her identity). Having broken down the door at last, Belvile, Willmore, Don Pedro, and a page enter, laughing at Blunt as he draws his sword. (full context)

...a good mood even as they continue mocking him. Willmore and Belvile express sympathy, while Pedro apologizes for the rudeness of his country, saying that if he can, he will help... (full context)

...his beloved. He attempts to draw Blunt aside to avoid giving Florinda away to Don Pedro, but the indiscreet Willmore foils him, telling him that there can be no secrecy when... (full context)

Because Spaniards traditionally carry longer swords than Englishmen, Don Pedro wins, and the other men give up their claim to Florinda. As Pedro exits, unaware... (full context)

Florinda reenters, still masked, chased by Don Pedro. He demands to know who she is and why she is here, implying that he... (full context)

Valeria enters, and is surprised by Don Pedro. Thinking on her feet, however, she runs to Pedro and claims that Florinda has run... (full context)

...on, confused, as Valeria urges Florinda and Belvile to marry each other quickly before Don Pedro returns. Realizing who Florinda is, Willmore begs her pardon and kisses her hand; she forgives... (full context)

...the four lovers exit to be married. Willmore remains onstage to stand guard against Don Pedro’s return. The page enters once again, telling Willmore that a woman is here to see... (full context)

Don Pedro reenters, but hides when he sees Don Antonio with Angelica. Obeying Angelica’s command, Antonio says... (full context)

As Angelica leaves, Don Antonio goes to follow her, but Don Pedro stops him, asking why he did not attend their duel on the Molo that morning.... (full context)

The still angry Don Pedro resolves to give Florinda to Belvile in revenge against Antonio. Willmore reveals that the marriage... (full context)

Belvile enters and is immediately suspicious of Willmore’s actions. Don Pedro asks if Belvile has married Florinda and, hearing that he has, wishes them joy, embracing... (full context)

Pedro, Belvile, Florinda, Frederick, and Valeria reenter; Florinda is shocked to see her sister, and Pedro... (full context)

Don Pedro turns to Belvile, furious that both his noble, wealthy sisters have fallen in love with... (full context)

Don Pedro asks if Hellena really intends to give up the holiness of nunhood in favor of... (full context)

Remembering Willmore’s threatening group of sailors, Don Pedro concedes. He adds that at least he will no longer have to guard Hellena’s honor.... (full context)