1 Antonio 2 Character Sketch Melancholic He is

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Antonio 2

Character Sketch: � Melancholic: He is a wealthy merchant, widely respected in Venice. He is introduced in the play in a sad mood. His friends suggest him innumerous reasons for his melancholy but he tells that melancholy is something natural to him. � True Friend: Antonio has many friends with Bassanio as his best one. He puts his life at stake by signing the fatal bond for Bassanio. � Passive Attitude: Antonio is well known for his reliability. He is a gambler who stakes everything on fair weather at sea. However, it is in his passive attitude that the action of the play has its origin. 3

� Philanthropist: Antonio is a philanthropist, doing good to others. He is a generous man who lends money without interest. � Prejudiced against the Jews: In spite of his nobility, he suffers from a strong prejudice against the Jews. He fails to rise above racial and religious prejudices against Shylock, thus insulting him constantly by calling him ‘The Jew’ and ‘Cur (Dog)’ in front of everyone at the Rialto. 4

Bassanio 5

Character Sketch: � Extravagant: He is a spendthrift man who loves to lead a prodigal and extravagant life beyond his means. He is indebted to his best friend Antonio who lends him money for living a lavish lifestyle. � True Lover: He appears as a self-confessed fortune hunter in the beginning. It seems that he wanted to marry Portia to inherit her wealth, however his true love came over his desires. � Genuine Affection for Antonio: His love for Antonio is profound. His anxiety about Antonio’s safety shows his genuine affection for Antonio. 6

� Contradictory: He is a bundle of contradictions. Thus, we can say, he is a carefree nobleman, frivolous, but in reality, noble and generous- capable of profound love and friendship. 7

Portia 8

Character Sketch: �A Combination of Beauty with Brain: Portia who is the female protagonist of the play, is a rich heiress of Belmont. She is gifted with both, Beauty and Brain. The fame of her good looks have spread far and wide, that has made many suitors eager to marry her. � Practical and Resourceful: Portia is one of the intellectual heroines of Shakespeare. Hearing of Antonio’s plight, she immediately marries Bassanio, gives him the money and sends him to rescue Antonio. As soon as he leaves, she disguises herself as a lawyer and sets off for Belmont. 9

� Witty and Humorous: Portia’s intellect is also seen in her wit and humor, which even though sharp, does not offend. She skilfully uses her intellect in answering her suitors and putting them down if the need arises. Furthermore, she is modest and does not display her intellect on her sleeves in air of superiority. � Compassionate: Portia clearly describes the quality of mercy as a divine blessing which benefits both the man who shows it and the one who receives it. � Feminine: Though Portia conducts herself in the trial scene with a rare masculine self-confidence, she is essentially feminine in nature. She portrays a woman’s inherent instinct for kindness and mercy. Her feminine nature is best seen in her absolute self-surrender to him. 10 She portrays herself as a dutiful daughter by not unveiling

Shylock 11

Character Sketch: � Shylock is a complex character having contradictory qualities. He arouses interest and a variety of conflicting criticisms. � He is bloodthirsty, cunning, greedy and fanatical, yet has been given the human touch of being and much hated alien. � Shylock’s life is dominated by his passion for revenge, money, his race and religion. � Shylock’s passion for money is intensive. He loves his money more than anything- more than his own daughter. For Shylock creation of money is creative. However, is case of Antonio, he overrides his 12 passion for money.

� Shylock is a devout Jew, having a passion for his race and religion. He is a devout practitioner of his religion. � Shylock’s inhumanity and revengefulness is seen in all its fury in the trial scene. His passion for revenge to Antonio is so heated, that he overcomes his love for money. No appeals from the Duke and Portia(Dr. Balthazar) move him to pity. � Shylock arouses sympathy for the sufferings he has undergone. He bears all the insults and humiliation because of his Jewish race. The betrayal of his own daughter, who robs him of his wealth evokes 13 sympathy for Shylock.

Nerissa 14

Character Sketch � Nerissa is Portia’s lady in waiting and a close confidant. She is a smart lady with smart tongue and true sense of humor. She admires her mistress so much that she literally imitates her action- be it announcing her love for Gratiano or taking her ring from him. She is happy in Portia’s happiness and makes an excellent foil for Portia. � Nerissa’s talks show worldly wisdom. Though she is intended to develop Portia’s character, she shines as a distinct personality. She acts not only as Portia’s lady in waiting but also her companion. 15

Gratiano 16

Character Sketch: � Gratiano is Bassanio’s friend, and Nerissa’s husband. His talkative nature is his most striking trait. According to Bassanio, Gratiano speaks an “infinite deal of nothing. ” � Gratiano is also a sarcastic character. His coarse remarks and taunts aimed at Shylock in the trial scene are uncalled for and his insensitivity towards Shylock would disgust anyone. Gratiano is less refined and lacks sophistication, yet he is by no means a novice in the affairs of the world. 17

Jessica 18

Character Sketch: � Jessica lacks in moral principals and loyalty towards her father. She betrays her father by eloping with Lorenzo. She heartlessly steals her father’s wealth and possessions. � Jessica impresses Lorenzo with her beauty, wisdom and faithfulness that shows her wide knowledge by competing with him in recalling the ancient, mythological love-stories. Her love for Lorenzo is too bold and prudent. 19

Lorenzo 20

Character Sketch: � Lorenzo is Antonio and Bassanio’s friend. His elopement is romantic and out of pure love for Jessica. He is not attracted by Jessica’s wealth yet he doesn’t discourage her from stealing her father’s money and jewels. � Lorenzo has an artistic nature which is revealed in the last act, when he recalls the mythological love stories, describing them in a fanciful manner. He beautifully praises the nature as: “The moon shines bright: in such a night as thus, When the sweet wind did gently kiss the trees, And they did make no noise. ” 21

Launcelot Gobbo 22

Character Sketch: � Launcelot Gobbo is a huge feeder and lazy. Shylock compares him to a snail, drone and a wild cat. He helps to emphasize the contrast between the miserliness of Shylock and the generosity of Bassanio. � Launcelot is an amusing fun-loving man. Jessica calls him a merry devil. His humor is fairly simple. � Launcelot appears to be a vain person who pretends to be what he is not. He pretends to be a gentleman whereas he’s just a domestic servant. � Launcelot performs the role of a go-between aiding the love match of Jessica-Lorenzo. He transfers the 23 love messages among them.

Thank. You! 24