The Merchant of Venice Character Analysis

By: Caitlin Shambaugh

Portia– The beautiful and intelligent heiress of Belmont, Portia is bound by a clause in her father’s will to marry whoever wins the “riddle of the caskets.”  After many disappointing suitors, she is happy with Bassanio, who chooses correctly.  She disguises herself as a male lawyer to save his friend Antonio’s life.

Nerissa– Portia’s waiting-gentlewoman and confidante; she marries Bassanio’s companion, Gratiano.

Balthazar– A servant to Portia, he is sent to Bellario to obtain letters of introduction.  Portia later assumes his name when she impersonates a lawyer to save Antonio.

Stephano– A servant to Portia

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Prince of Morocco– A moorish suitor to Portia; he incorrectly picks the gold casket.

Prince of Aragon– A Spanish suitor to Portia; he incorrectly picks the silver casket.

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Antonio– A prosperous and well-liked Venetian merchant, Antonio drives much of the play’s action.  To help Bassanio, who he is likely in love with, Antonio guarantees a loan with his own flesh as collateral.  He is known for his generosity and kindness, which appeals him to Portia, who later saves his life.  Although Antonio expresses an intense hatred for Shylock, he is merciful to him at the end of the trial.

Bassanio– A Venetian gentleman and longtime friend of Antonio.  He cannot afford to court Portia, so he borrows money from Shylock, with Antonio as his guarantor.

Solanio– A companion of Antonio and Bassanio

Salerio– A companion of Antonio and Bassanio

Gratiano– While his friend Bassanio courts Portia, Gratiano marries her servant, Nerissa.

Lorenzo– A friend of Bassanio and Antonio who elopes with Shylock’s daughter, Jessica.

Leonardo– A servant to Bassanio

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Shylock– A Jewish moneylender in Venice who has long been abused by Christian merchants, Antonio, in particular.  When Antonio is unable to cover a loan, Shylock insists the bond be upheld and he be granted a pound of Antonio’s flesh.  There is no scholarly agreement whether he is a villain, a rude stereotype, or a tragic figure.  A complex character, he is not always exactly in the wrong, though he is disliked even by his own daughter, who robs him before he loses all of his wealth during his trial against Antonio.

Jessica– The hatred Jessica feels for her father, Shylock, leads her to rob him, convert to Christianity, and elope with Lorenzo.

Tubal– Another Jewish moneylender, he is Shylock’s only friend in the play.

Lancelet Gobbo– Servant to Shylock before he leaves to work for Bassanio.

Old Gobbo– Lancelet’s blind father

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Salerio– A messenger from Venice

Jailer

Duke of Venice– Even though he must uphold the laws of the land, he tries to persuade Shylock to be merciful toward Antonio at his trial.

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Magnificoes of Venice

Servants

Attendants and Followers

Messenger

Musicians