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The Characters – The Merchant of Venice
By William Shakespeare.
Antonio
Antonio is the titular merchant of Venice. He is melancholic, kind-hearted, and deeply loyal to his friends, especially Bassanio. His financial investments are tied up in maritime ventures, leading him to borrow money from Shylock. Antonio’s bond with Shylock becomes central to the play’s conflict.
Shylock
Shylock is a Jewish moneylender in Venice. He is depicted as intelligent, vengeful, and deeply resentful of the mistreatment he suffers due to his faith. His insistence on the pound of flesh from Antonio as collateral for the loan highlights his complexity and the themes of justice and revenge in the play
Bassanio
Bassanio is a young Venetian nobleman and Antonio’s close friend. He is charming, adventurous, and somewhat financially irresponsible. His desire to marry Portia, a wealthy heiress, drives much of the play’s action, leading him to seek financial help from Antonio.
Portia
Portia is a wealthy heiress from Belmont. She is beautiful, intelligent, and resourceful. Bound by her father’s will to marry whoever chooses correctly from among three caskets, she demonstrates wit and cleverness, particularly in the courtroom scene where she disguises herself as a lawyer to save Antonio.
Jessica
Jessica is Shylock’s daughter. She is independent and determined, choosing to elope with Lorenzo, a Christian, and convert to Christianity. Her actions reflect her desire to escape her father’s control and the restrictive life she leads.
Lorenzo
Lorenzo is a friend of Antonio and Bassanio and Jessica’s lover. He is romantic and compassionate, aiding Jessica in her escape from Shylock’s house and later marrying her. His relationship with Jessica highlights themes of love and cultural conflict.
Gratiano
Gratiano is another friend of Antonio and Bassanio. He is loud, jovial, and often speaks without thinking. He accompanies Bassanio to Belmont and eventually marries Nerissa, Portia’s maid. His character adds a humorous and lively element to the play.
Nerissa
Nerissa is Portia’s maid and confidante. She is loyal, wise, and supportive, often providing practical advice to Portia. She marries Gratiano, and like Portia, she disguises herself as a man during the trial scene.
Launcelot
Launcelot is a clownish servant, originally serving Shylock and later switching to Bassanio’s service. His humorous antics and confusion provide comic relief.
The Duke of Venice
Prince of Morocco
A suitor to Portia, the Prince of Morocco is confident and proud. He chooses the gold casket, incorrectly assuming it holds Portia’s portrait.