Is a wealthy heiress. Lots of people want to marry her but they have to pass her father's test first.
Is a Venetian gentleman and a friend of Antonio’s who wants to marry Portia.
Antonio is a Venetian merchant and a Christian, who is best friends with Bassanio.
Shylock is a Jewish moneylender and the father of Jessica.
Is Portia’s waiting woman and friend.
Is Shylock’s daughter and is in love with Lorenzo.
Lorenzo is a young Christian man who is friends with Bassanio and in love with Jessica.
Lancelet is the ‘clown’ of the play and works for Shylock.
Gratiano is a Venetian who is friends with Antonio and Bassanio and wants to marry Nerissa.
Tubal is a friend of Shylock’s and is also a Jewish moneylender.
The following activity is a great way to explore the characters, once students have started to become more familiar with who’s who in The Merchant of Venice.
Society Portraits (2015)
The activity can be found on page 4 and takes approximately 25 minutes.
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