7.Drama Famous lines, characters, quotes from

The Merchant of Venice

Famous Lines:

“If you prick us, do we not bleed? if you tickle us, do we not laugh? if you poison us, do we not die? and if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?”. – ( Quote Act III, scene I).

“The devil can cite scripture for his purpose”. -( Quote Act I, sce. III).

“I like not fair terms and a villain’s mind”. – ( Quote Act I, scene III)

I hold the world but as the world, Gratiano, A stage, where every man must play a part; And mine a sad one. (Act i. scene. 1.)

Superfluity comes sooner by white hairs, but competency lives longer. (Quote Act i. sce. 2. )

I dote on his very absence. (Quote Act i. scene. 2.)

The devil can cite scripture for his purpose. (Quote Act i. sce. 3.)

Mislike me not for my complexion, The shadow’d livery of the burnish’d sun. (Quote Act ii. scene. 1. )

It is a wise father that knows his own child. (Quote  Act ii. sce. 2.)

In the twinkling of an eye. (Quote   Act ii. scene. 2. )

But love is blind, and lovers cannot see The pretty follies that themselves commit. (Quote Act ii. sce. 6. )

All that glisters is not gold. (Quote. Act ii. )

Characters:

Antonio A wealthy Venetian merchant who occasionally lends money, but never charges interest.

Bassanio He is a typical Elizabethan lover and nobleman who is careless with his money; A friend of Antonio.

Portia As one of Shakespeare’s most intelligent and witty heroines, she is famous for her beauty and for her wealth. Wife of Bassanio.

Shylock   is an intelligent businessman who believes that, since he is a moneylender, charging interest is his right;

The Duke of Venice  He presides as judge over the court proceedings in Shylock’s claim on Antonio.

The Prince of Morocco One of Portia’s suitors; he loses the opportunity to marry her when he chooses the golden casket.

The Prince of Arragon He chooses the silver casket; he is another disappointed suitor for Portia’s hand in marriage.

Gratiano He is the light-hearted, talkative friend of Bassanio, who accompanies him to Belmont; there, he falls in love with Portia’s confidante, Nerissa.

Lorenzo He is a friend of Antonio and Bassanio; he woos and wins the love of Shylock’s daughter, Jessica.

Jessica She is the young daughter of Shylock; she falls in love with Lorenzo and, disguised as a boy, she elopes with him.

Nerissa Portia’s merry and sympathetic lady-in-waiting.

Salarino He is a friend who believes that Antonio is sad because he is worried about his ships at sea.

Salanio He is another friend of Antonio; he thinks Antonio’s melancholy may be caused because Antonio is in love.

Salerio A messenger from Venice.

Launcelot Gobbo  He is a “clown,” a jester, the young servant of Shylock; he is about to run away because he thinks Shylock is the devil; eventually, he leaves Shylock’s service and becomes Bassanio’s jester.

Old Gobbo The father of Launcelot, he has come to Venice to seek news of his son.

Tubal He is a friend of Shylock’s; he tells him that one of Antonio’s ships has been wrecked.

Leonardo Bassanio’s servant.

Balthasar The servant whom Portia sends to her cousin, Dr. Bellario.

Dr. Bellario A lawyer of Padua.

Stephano One of Portia’s servants.




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