# The Merchant of Venice — Character guide

> Key figures in The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare.

- [Portia](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/characters/portia.md): A wealthy heiress bound by her father's will; disguises as a lawyer to save Antonio.
- [Shylock](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/characters/shylock.md): A Jewish moneylender who demands a pound of flesh from Antonio as bond.
- [Bassanio](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/characters/bassanio.md): Antonio's friend who borrows money to woo Portia; chooses the correct casket.
- [Antonio](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/characters/antonio.md): The melancholic merchant who signs Shylock's bond; saved by Portia's wit.
- [Gratiano](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/characters/gratiano.md): Bassanio's talkative friend who marries Nerissa; often mocks Shylock.
- [Nerissa](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/characters/nerissa.md): Portia's lady-in-waiting who disguises as a clerk and marries Gratiano.
- [Lorenzo](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/characters/lorenzo.md): Jessica's lover who elopes with her and Shylock's ducats.
- [Jessica](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/characters/jessica.md): Shylock's daughter who elopes with Lorenzo and converts to Christianity.
- [Launcelot Gobbo](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/characters/launcelot_gobbo.md): Shylock's clownish servant who leaves to serve Bassanio.
- [Salerio](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/characters/salerio.md): A friend of Antonio and Bassanio who reports shipwrecks.
- [Salanio](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/characters/salanio.md): Another friend of Antonio who discusses his misfortunes.
- [Salarino](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/characters/salarino.md): A Venetian gentleman and friend of Antonio.
- [Duke of Venice](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/characters/the_duke_of_venice.md): Presides over the trial of Shylock versus Antonio.
- [Old Gobbo](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/characters/old_gobbo.md): Launcelot's blind father who brings a gift to Bassanio.
- [Tubal](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/characters/tubal.md): A Jewish friend of Shylock who reports Jessica's spending.
- [Prince of Morocco](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/characters/the_prince_of_morocco.md): A suitor who chooses the gold casket and fails.
- [Prince of Arragon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/characters/the_prince_of_arragon.md): A suitor who chooses the silver casket and fails.
- [Doctor Bellario](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/characters/doctor_bellario.md): A learned lawyer who sends Portia his opinion and robes.
- [Stephano](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/characters/stepheno.md): A messenger who brings news to Portia in Belmont.
- [Leonardo](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/characters/leonardo.md): Bassanio's servant sent to prepare for the Belmont trip.
- [Gaoler](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/characters/the_gaoler.md): The jailer who guards Antonio before the trial.
- [Balthasar](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/characters/balthasar.md): Portia's servant sent to Bellario with letters.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/characters