MoV - CHARACTER STUDIES

Antonio - Character study

His role is the merchant of venice.

He’s melancholic, generous, loyal and prejudiced.

He is the best friend of Bassanio; but also the enemy of Shylock.

“I know not why I am so sad.” (1:1) - introduces his melancholy + makes the audience feel sympathy for him right at the beginning. Shakespeare uses in media res to show the audience that Antonio’s feelings are vague, yet truthful.

“The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.” (1:3) - reflects prejudice towards Shylock, saying that only the devil can vouch for a jew like Shylock (antisemitism). Shakespeare uses a religious metaphor (the devil), which also shows irony as the bible teaches to love all. He also uses a juxtaposition, “the devil can cite scripture”, for the devil, who is supposedly against god, to cite scriptures from the bible (the word of god) confuses the audience, as Antonio claims that Shylock manipulates religion to his advantage, while he himself does the same to insult Shylock.

Antonio loves bassanio and is willing to risk everything, including his own life for him.

Antonio as an individual represents christian mercy, yet he struggles to show the same mercy and respect to Shylock.

He begins as a noble figure, who is admired for his selflessness. He’s then revealed to harbor deep anti semitic biases. His survival depends on Portia’s intelligence and technicality in court.

Portia - Character study

Her role is as the wealthy heiress of Belmont

She’s intelligent, witty, resourceful, assertive and compassionate.

She’s the daughter of a deceased father (who designed the casket test, symbolising his power over his daughter even after his death); wife to Bassanio.

“The quality of mercy is not strain’d. / It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven.” (4:1)

Shakespeare uses enjambment to show the link between mercy and heaven, which is an allusion to the Bible, as the it often teaches mercy. He also uses religious imagery and personification, calling mercy a gentle rain drop from heaven. A rain drop of heaven could be seen as a ‘gift from god’.

“I may neither choose who I would nor refuse who I dislike.”

The balanced phrasing mirrors the “casket test” that constrains her - even as a rich and powerful heiress, she’s still a victim to patriarchal society.

Shylock - Character study

His role is as a jewish moneylender + antagonist.

He’s bitter, vengeful, intelligent, proud and victimised.

He’s father to jessica; nemesis to Antonio.

“Hath not a Jew eyes?” (3:1) - uses a rhetorical question to see the hypocrisy in Christian cruelty.

“Hath not” - Shakespeare uses anaphora with this phrase, to humanise Shylock, to show that there’s no excuse for prejudice, as they’re all human. The repetition of “if you prick us, do we not bleed?” - appeals emotionally to the audience.

“I will have my bond.” (3:4) - this repeated line (repetition), becomes Shylock’s mantra. The monosyllabic insistence creates a rhythmic, and almost obsessive tone. The “bond” is both a legal contract and a metaphor for brokem social bonds (the divide between jews and christians at the time) - his cry for justice becomes his downfall.

He wants to assert his identity + dignity in a hostile Christian society as well as revenge for years of mistreatment, particularly from Antonio.

He was first portrayed first as a villain, then as a tragic figure. He then loses his wealth, his daughter, and his religion through forced conversion. He is a complex representation of justice, revenge, and marginalisation.

Bassanio - Character study

His role is as a nobleman, friend of Antonio and suitor to Portia.

He is charming, opportunistic, affectionate and somewhat reckless.

He is a close friend to Antonio; and husband to Portia.

“To you, Antonio, I owe the most in money and in love.” (1:1) - he uses juxtaposition, linking money and love, the desire for money can often get in the way of love, so to owe someone in both. He links financial debt to emotional loyalty, blurring boundaries between commerce and love. Shakespeare explores male friendship, potentially romantic subtext.

“So may the outward shows be least themselves.” (3:2) - He reflects on deception - what is beautiful on the outside may be false. Shakespeare uses this insight to justify his correct choice of the lead casket + reinforces the moral that truth lies beneath the surface.

He initially seeks Portia for her wealth, but it seems that he does actually fall in love with her.

He cares very deeply for Antonio (homoerotic/same-sex love), willing to give up everything for him.

He grows from a spendthrift nobleman (a rich but irresponsible spender) to someone more grounded and aware. His choices drive the plot (borrowing from Shylock, casket test).

Jessica - Character study

Her role is as Shylock’s daughter.

She’s rebellious, conflicted, romantic and at times, guilty.

She’s the daughter of Shylock; elopes with Lorenzo.

“Alack, what heinous sin is it in me / To be ashamed to be my father’s child!” (2:3) - Jessica’s guilty is layered - she rebels against her father but feels sinful for doing so. The alliteration of “heinous… ashamed… father’s" mirrors her internal conflict. Shakespeare presents her as a tragic, divided figure, torn between love, religion, and identity.

She desires freedom from her father’s restrictive household. She converts to Christianity and runs away with Lorenzo.

Her betrayal deepends Shylock’s bitterness and hate for Christians. Her actions raise moral ambiguity - freedom vs. disloyalty.

Lorenzo - Character study

His role is as Jessica’s Christian lover.

He is romantic, idealistic but not deeply developed as a character.

He is also later on the husband of Jessica and friend to Bassanio.

“Fair Jessica shall be my torchbearer.” (2:4) - Calling Jessica his “torchbearer” - literal + symbolic, she lights his path to freedom and love, while also being dressed as a male torchbearer. This quote is undercut by dramatic irony: she’s betraying her father. Shakespeare uses Lorenzo to romanticise rebellion while questioning morality.

He is in romantic pursit of Jessica, however it seems he is also interested in her wealth (implied when Jessica brings her family’s jewels during her elopement).

He is a minor character in terms of development and represents Christian romantic ideals which is juxtaposed with Shylock’s strict jewish household.

Gratiano - Character study

His role is as Bassanio’s friend; and as comic relief.

He is loud, passionate, energetic and loyal.

He is friend to Bassanio; and later marries Nerissa.

“Let me play the fool.” (1:1) - he embrace the theatrical nature of life - Shakespeare uses him as comic relief but gives him moments of insight. His role as the “fool” masks deeper commentary on the social masks people wear.

He is devoted to Bassanio and later to Nerissa, he also often serves to lighten the tone/situation.

He grows slightly more serious during the court scene, due to the potential loss of Antonio’s life and he provides support and continuity in both Venice + Belmont scenes.

Nerissa - Character study

She is Portia’s lady-in-waiting.

She’s intelligent, loyal, witty and practical.

She is companion to Portia; and wife to Gratiano.

“I’ll have that doctor for my bedfellow.” (4:2) - double entendre/pun, she’s pretending to admire the “lawyer” (portia in disguise), but it’s a playful way of saying she’ll also trick Gratiano as Portia did w/ Bassanio. Dramatic irony - the audience knows Nerissa’s in disguise, Gratiano doesn’t. This builds humour and anticipation. Foreshadowing - it hints that Gratiano, like Bassanio, will fall for the trick + give up his ring.

She supports Portia + echoes her values, she also has her own subplot echoing Portia’s ring test.

She reinforces Portia’s ideas + helps resolve the final scene humorously.