The Duke of Venice
ruler of Venice
The Prince of Morocco
a suitor to Portia
The Prince of Arragon
a suitor to Portia
Bassanio
an Italian lord and a suitor to Portia
Antonio
a merchant of Venice
Salarino
a gentleman of Venice and companion to Bassanio
Salanio
a gentleman of Venice and companion to Bassanio
Gratiano
a gentleman of Venice and companion to Bassanio
Lorenzo
a gentleman of Venice and companion to Bassanio
Shylock
a Jewish moneylender and father to Jessica
Tubal
a Jewish friend of Shylock
Portia
a wealthy lady of Belmont
Nerissa
Portia's waiting-gentlewoman
Jessica
Shylock's daughter
Old Gobbo
father to Lancelot
Lancelot Gobbo
a clown
Stephano
a messenger
Leonardo
a servant to Bassanio
Balthazar
a servant to Portia
Gaoler and attendants
including officers of the court and servants to Portia