"Gratiano is the close friend and confidant of Bassanio. His function in the play is very similar to Nerissa's who plays an identical role with respect to Portia."
" "
"Gratiano's chief characteristic, we find in the first scene of the play, is his takativeness."
"He is a lively character who says of himself:"
"* Let me play the fool;"
"*With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come."
" "
"His companion, Lorenzo, jokingly complains that Gratiano never lets him speak, and Gratiano cheerfully admits it."
9
"As well as providing a foil for Bassanio, Gratiano has another function in the play - to provide liveliness and humour."
"He spices up some of the more serious scenes with his wit and his chatter."
" "
"In the court scene, Gratiano adds to the tension by arguing violently with Shylock, setting off Shylock's own bitter wit and emphasising his cruel passion for vengeance."
"When Shylock is defeated, Gratiano taunts him mercilessly, hurling Shylock's own words back at him:"
"*A Daniel, still say I, a second Daniel."
"*I thank thee, Jew, for teaching me that word."
" "
"In Bassanio's words, Gratiano has a 'skipping spirit.'"
11
"*QUOTES"
"There follows a list of quotes which may be useful in assessing the character of Gratiano."
" "
"*Gratiano about himself"
"Let me play the fool!"
" "
"....keep me company but two years more,"
"Thou shalt not know the sound of thine own tongue"
" "
"*Lorenzo about Gratiano"
"Gratiano never lets me speak"
5
"*QUOTES (Cont.)"
"*Bassanio about Gratiano"
"Gratiano speaks an infinite deal of nothing - more than any man in all Venice. His reasons are as two grains of wheat hid in two bushels of chaff: you shall seek all day ere you find them, and when you have them they are not worth the search."
