"One of Portia's servants. It is he who announces her imminent return to Belmont."
"USURY"
"The practice of lending money at extremely high interest - a practice to which Antonio is strongly opposed."
"PADUA"
"A city of N.E.Italy. Portia sends Balthasar to Padua with a letter requesting Dr Bellario's assistance."
"GENOA"
"A seaport of N.W.Italy. Lorenzo and Jessica flee to Genoa after eloping and are pursued (unsuccessfully) by Tubal."
"BELMONT"
"The name of Portia's estate. Lorenzo and Jessica take charge of Belmont while Portia and Nerissa are in Venice."
"ARGOSY"
"A large merchant ship. Antonio agreed to the bond of a pound of flesh because several of his argosies were due home one month before repayment of the loan."
"PORTRAIT"
"One of the 3 caskets contained a portrait (referred to as a counterfeit) of Portia. The suitor who opened the casket containing the portrait would be the one to marry her."
"BURGHER"
"A wealthy citizen. Salerio says Antonio's argosies are 'Like signiors and rich burghers' "
"BASSANIO"
"A young man who lives beyond his means, and so placing his best friend's life in jeopardy."
"ANTONIO"
"Bassanio's dignified, benevolent friend who hated the Jews and the practice of usury."
"LORENZO"
"Bassanio's friend who elopes with Jessica - complete with a generous supply of gold ducats and jewels."
"GOBBO"
"Launcelot's father. It is not until Launcelot is able to name Margery as his mother that Old Gobbo is convinced that Launcelot is his son."
"SHYLOCK"
"The vengeful money-lender who is more distraught by the loss of his jewels than he is by the loss of his daughter."
"TUBAL"
"Shylock's fellow Jew. It is he who furnishes Shylock with the balance of money to loan to Bassanio, and he who searches for Jessica in Genoa."
"BALTHASAR"
"Portia's servant who is sent to Padua with a letter for Dr Bellario. Portia later adopts the name Balthasar when she poses as a lawyer."
"LEONARDO"
"Bassanio's servant. A very minor character who has only two lines in the whole play."
"MONASTERY"
"The residence of a community of monks. Portia informs Lorenzo and Jessica that she and Nerissa intend to go into retreat at a nearby monastery while Bassanio is absent."
"MARGERY"
"The wife of Old Gobbo. It is not until Launcelot is able to name Margery as his mother, that Old Gobbo believes Launcelot is his son."
"LEAH"
"Shylock's dead wife and Jessica's mother. It was she who gave Shylock the turqouise ring."
"TURQUOISE"
"A blue-green colour. Jessica sells her father's turquoise ring in Genoa."
"SUITOR"
"One who pursues a woman with the intention of marriage. Portia had many wealthy suitors from many different countries."
"LOTTERY"
"A method of winning a prize by chance. The lottery of the caskets was devised by Portia's father just before he died."
"CASKET"
"A chest. The suitor who opened the casket containing the portrait of Portia would be the one to marry her."
"DOBBIN"
"Old Gobbo's cart-horse. Old Gobbo says Launcelot has more hair on his chin than Dobbin has on his tail. The poor-sighted Gobbo has mistaken the back of Launcelot's head for the front."
"OATH"
"A solemn vow. The suitors have to take an oath swearing never to marry if they are unsuccessful in their choice of casket. They must also promise never to reveal which casket they chose."
"RIALTO"
"The name of the Venetian Stock Exchange."
"GABERDINE"
"A long loose upper garment worn by Jews."
"DUCAT"
"A gold coin. Jessica is rumoured to have spent fourscore (80) ducats in Genoa."
"LAUNCELOT"
"The clown of the play. Servant ot Shylock and later, Bassanio. He is also Old Gobbo's son."
"SALERIO"
"A friend of Antonio and Bassanio. He delivers Antonio's letter to Bassanio at Belmont."
"SOLANIO"
"A relatively minor character. He attempts to comfort Antonio at the start of the play."
"PORTIA"
"The beautiful, wealthy heroine of the play."
"JESSICA"
"Shylock's daughter who disguises herself as a page and elopes with Lorenzo."
"NERISSA"
"Portia's maid who marries Gratiano and disguises herself as Dr Balthasar's clerk at the trial."
"BELLARIO"
"The lawyer from Padua who supplies Portia with her disguise and a letter of introduction to the court."
"GOLD"
"The gold casket contains a skull and is opened by the Prince of Morocco. The scroll inside the casket bears the inscription 'All that glisters is not gold'"
"SILVER"
"The silver casket contains the portrait of a fool and is opened by the arrogant Prince of Arragon."
"LEAD"
"The lead casket contains the portrait of Portia and bears the inscription 'Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath.'"
"MOROCCO"
"The proud, dignified prince who is too swayed by outward appearances, and so opens the gold casket."
"ARRAGON"
"The arrogant prince who opens the silver casket."
