Dramatis Personae

The DUKE of Venice.

The PRINCE OF MOROCCO, suitor to Portia.

The PRINCE OF ARRAGON, suitor to Portia.

ANTONIO, a Merchant of Venice.

BASSANIO, his friend, and suitor to Portia.

GRATIANO, friend to Antonio and Bassanio

SALERIO, friend to Antonio and Bassanio

SOLANIO, friend to Antonio and Bassanio

LORENZO, in love with Jessica.

SHYLOCK, a Jew.

TUBAL, a Jew, his friend.

LAUNCELOT GOBBO, a clown, servant to Shylock.

OLD GOBBO, father to Launcelot.

LEONARDO, servant to Bassanio.

BALTHAZAR,servant to Portia.

STEPHANO,servant to Portia.

PORTIA, an heiress, of Belmont.

NERISSA, her waiting-woman.

JESSICA, __ Shylock’s daughter.__

Magnificoes of Venice, Officers of the Court of Justice, a Gaoler, Servants and other Attendants.

SHYLOCK

The origin of the name 'Shylock' is obscure. It may have been taken from an old undated pamphlet titled 'Caleb Shilocke his prophecy, or the Jewes Prediction'. Shakespeare may not have been familiar with this pamphlet, but its existence proves that 'Shylock' was a Jewish name in circulation in Shakespeare’s lifetime.

Some believe that 'Shylock' is derived from the Hebrew word 'shiloh' meaning 'he who is to be sent', an Old Testament (and consequently Jewish) reference to the coming of the Messiah and, significantly, to the beginning of Christianity.

BASSANIO

It is probable that Shakespeare’s choice of the name 'Bassanio' derived from his acquaintance with natives of Venice living in Britain. The 'Queen’s Musick' (musicians of the royal household) included eight members of the Venetian family Bassani (called 'Bassanye' in court records).

LAUNCELOT/ OLD GOBBO

The name Gobbo is linked to one of Venice’s famous contemporary and political landmarks. Il Gobbo di Rialto, translated as the Hunchback of the Rialto, was a crouching stone figure by the Rialto bridge which supported the platform which was used for official proclamations. It featured in the meting out of minor punishments. The guilty party would be made to run naked from St. Mark’s Basilica to the Rialto bridge, concluding their ordeal by kissing the statue.

PORTIA

The name 'Portia' derives from the latin Porcius, meaning 'pig'. In an allegorical sense, that Portia is named for a Jewish abomination qualifies her to assume the role as an embodiment of Christianity and apply Christian law successfully and overthrow Shylock’s Jewish bond in the court scene.

As Bassanio points out, Portia was a classical Roman figure: 'Her name is Portia, nothing undervalu’d / To Cato’s daughter, Brutus’ Portia' (1.1.165-6). The wife of Brutus, one of the murderers of Julius Caesar, this Portia was renowned for her thoughtfulness, loyalty and resolve.

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