Antonio - a merchant from Venice;
Bassanio Antonio's friend, in love with Portia;
Gratiano, Salanio, Salarino, Salerio friends of Antonio and Bassanio;
Lorenzo friend of Antonio and Bassanio, in love with Jessica;
Portia a rich heiress
Nerissa Portia's waiting-maid
Balthazar a servant of Portia
Stephano a servant of Portia
Shylock a rich Jew, father of Jessica
Tubal a Jew; Shylock's friend
Jessica daughter of Shylock, in love with Lorenzo; Jewess,
Launcelot Gobbo a foolish man in the service of Shylock
Old Gobbo father of Launcelot
Leonardo - servant to Bassanio
Duke of Venice - Venetian authority who presides over the case of Shylock's bond
Prince of Morocco suitor to Portia
Prince of Aragon suitor to Portia
Minor Characters: Magnificoes of Venice, officers of the Court of Justice, Gaoler, servants to Portia, and other Attendants