Antonio
a Christian merchant of Venice, he agrees to vouch for a loan to Bassanio from Shylock by putting a pound of his flesh up as collateral.
Bassanio
the friend of Antonio who borrows three thousand ducats from him. He is also the suitor to Portia who chooses the correct casket and marries her.
Leonardo
Bassanio's servant.
Lorenzo
a friend of Bassanio and Antonio, the lover of Jessica.
Graziano
a friend of Bassanio and Antonio, he accompanies Bassanio to Belmont and marries Nerissa.
Salerio
a friend of Bassanio and Antonio.
Solanio
a friend of Bassanio and Antonio.
Shylock
a Jewish moneylender in Venice. He demands a pound of flesh from Antonio, but is forced to convert to Christianity by the end of the play. He loses his daughter Jessica and most of his wealth.
Jessica
Shylock's daughter who runs away with Lorenzo.
Tubal
a Jew.
Lancelot
a clown, first Shylock's servant and later Bassanio's, he also plays tricks on his father Gobbo.
Gobbo
the father of Lancelot.
Portia
a wealthy Christian heiress who must marry the man who chooses the correct casket with her picture in it. She later marries Bassanio and also plays the Doctor Balthasar who saves Antonio's life.
Nerissa
the attendant or waiting-gentlewoman to Portia who also plays the clerk at the court.
Balthasar
a servant of Portia.
Stefano
a servant of Portia.
Prince of Morocco
a suitor to Portia who fails to win her by incorrectly choosing the gold casket.
Prince of Aragon
a suitor to Portia who fails to win her by incorrectly choosing the silver casket.
Duke of Venice
an upholder of the law.
