Characters

The cast of The Merchant of Venice

The people who make The Merchant of Venice move — what they want, who they love, who they hate, and how each one fits the story. Tap any name to read more.

Father of Launcelot Gobbos

Old Gobbo

Launcelot's blind father; a comic figure whose blindness becomes the occasion for wordplay and domestic humor

father: Shylocks

Jessica

Shylock's daughter; a young woman caught between her father's faith and her love for a Christian · adolescent

Old Gobbo (father)s

Launcelot Gobbo

Comic servant and wit; messenger between worlds

Dead father who bound her to the casket tests

Portia

Heiress of Belmont; brilliant lawyer disguised as a judge; architect of mercy through law · Young woman (unmarried at play's start)

father of Jessicas

Shylock

Jewish moneylender and antagonist; a man of principle driven to cruelty by years of contempt · middle-aged or older

Other characters

Bassanio

A young Venetian gentleman of good birth but depleted fortune, seeking love and wealth · young

Lorenzo

Young Venetian gentleman and romantic lover

Antonio

A melancholy Venetian merchant whose bond of flesh endangers everything · Middle-aged

Gratiano

Witty Venetian gentleman; comic foil to Bassanio; quick-witted but often tactless

Nerissa

Portia's waiting-gentlewoman and loyal confidante; quick-witted accomplice in both courtship and legal triumph

Salarino

A Venetian gentleman and friend of Antonio; messenger and observer

Duke of Venice

Chief magistrate of Venice; arbiter of law and mercy

Salanio

Venetian friend and gossip; messenger of news

Prince of Morocco

A proud suitor who chooses by appearance and loses · Adult

Tubal

Jewish merchant and Shylock's friend; bearer of news

Salerio

Venetian messenger and Antonio's friend
In the app

Hear every line of The Merchant of Venice, narrated.

Synced read-along narration: every character's voice, words highlighting as they're spoken — so you never lose a line.

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