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Balthasar. Portia’s servant, whom she dispatches to get the appropriate materials from Doctor Bellario. A list of all the characters in The Merchant of Venice. The Merchant of Venice characters include: Shylock, Portia, Antonio, Jessica, Bassanio, Gratiano, Lorenzo.
Gratiano. Gratiano is a friend of Bassanio. A great talker, he is almost impossible to shut up, and can be unmannerly, to the extent that Bassanio only allows him to accompany his trip to Belmont on condition that he keep himself under control. Read more ….
Discover the personalities and motivations of the characters in Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice, a complex and controversial play about love, justice, and prejudice. LitCharts provides detailed character descriptions and analysis for each role.
Portia is one of the most complex and fascinating characters in The Merchant of Venice. She is a wealthy heiress, a witty lawyer, and a loyal wife, who defies gender and class norms to help her husband and his friend. Learn more about her role, personality, and significance in this in-depth analysis by SparkNotes.
- Gratiano. Gratiano is Antonio and Bassanio’s friend and Nerissa’s suitor. He accompanies Bassanio to Belmont. Gratiano is described as “wild,” “rude,” and “bold.”
- Nerissa. Nerissa is Portia’s “woman-in-waiting.” After Bassanio successfully completes the casket test, Nerissa weds Bassanio’s friend Gratiano. Throughout the play, Nerissa serves as Portia’s closest friend, ally, and co-conspirator.
- Launcelot Gobbo. Launcelot Gobbo begins the play as Shylock’s servant and ends it as Bassanio’s servant. He is a bright young man who enjoys wordplay. He resents the treatment he receives from Shylock and helps Jessica elope with Lorenzo.
- Gobbo. Old Gobbo is Launcelot’s aged, blind father. He cares deeply for his son, going so far as to bring gifts to Shylock, Launcelot’s master. When Launcelot wants to become Bassanio’s servant instead, Old Gobbo agrees to help him.
Character Description; Shylock: Shylock is a moneylender in Venice who seeks revenge for a lifetime of persecution and insults for being a Jew. Read More: Antonio: Antonio is a merchant who confidently borrows money on his friend Bassanio's behalf only to find his life in danger when he is unable to repay the loan. Read More: Bassanio
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Leonardo Bassanio's servant. Balthasar The servant whom Portia sends to her cousin, Dr. Bellario. Dr. Bellario A lawyer of Padua. Stephano One of Portia's servants. Antonio A wealthy Venetian merchant who occasionally lends money, but never charges interest. Since his main source of income is from his merchant ships, he is.
