Can anyone describe the positive relationship of Leonato and Hero in Much Ado About Nothing?

This is a great question to think about, because Leonato
seems to present two paradoxical impressions in terms of his relationship with his one
and only child, Hero. In the infamous marriage scene of Act IV scene 1, for example, he
openly states that he wishes his daughter were dead, even going as far to say that he
hopes she is dead when she faints in shock and terror. Certainly the harshness of his
words and the way that he responds to her public shaming severely limits our impressions
of him as a good father to Hero. However, I would point you towards Act V scene 1, where
we see a very different side of Leonato. As he is talking to his brother, he expresses
his grief and his sadness at what has happened to his daughter. He
says:

My
griefs cry louder than
advertisement.

In addition he
states that in his "soul" he knows that Hero was "belied," and in response to his
brother's insistence that he lay aside his grief, points out the futile nature of
counsel at such times:

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For, brother,
men

Can counsel and speak comfort to that
grief

Which they themselves not feel. But tasting
it,

Their counsel turns to passion, which
before

Would give preceptial medicine to
rage,

Fetter strong madness in a silken
thread,

Charm ache with air and agony with
words.

The Leonato that we
see in this scene, therefore, is very different from the Leonato that we saw in Act IV
scene 1. Perhaps the difference can be explained by the passing of time and the way that
has helped Leonato look upon the situation with mature reflection. Either way, he is
presented in this scene as a loving father who is overwhelmed with grief at the wrong
that has been done to his daughter and willing to fight for her
honour.