"THE MERCHANT OF VENICE"

"The Merchant Of Venice" by William Shakespeare:

William Shakespeare probably wrote this in 1596 or 1597. The story's plot is based on 2 folktales of indeterminate age and origin that he was said to have acquired from Italian sources.

Characters:

• • Antonio – a merchant of Venice
  • Bassanio – Antonio's friend, in love with Portia; suitor likewise to her
  • Gratiano, Solanio, Salarino, Salerio – friends of Antonio and Bassanio
  • Lorenzo – friend of Antonio and Bassanio, in love with Jessica
  • Portia – a rich heiress
  • Nerissa – Portia's waiting-maid
  • Balthazar – Portia's disguise as a lawyer
  • Stephano – Nerissa's disguise as 'Balthazar's law clerk.
  • Shylock– a rich Jew, moneylender, father of Jessica
  • Tubal – a Jew; Shylock's friend
  • Jessica – daughter of Shylock, in love with Lorenzo
  • Lancelot Gobbo – a foolish man in the service of Shylock
  • Old Gobbo – father of Lancelot
  • Leonardo – servant to Bassanio
  • Duke of Venice – Venetian authority who presides over the case of Shylock's bond
  • Prince of Morocco – suitor to Portia
  • Prince of Arragon – suitor to Portia
  • Magnificoes of Venice, officers of the Court of Justice, Gaoler, servants to Portia, and other Attendants

*This is a tragic comedy story:'>