Shylock	Shylock is a Jewish moneylender who lives in Venice. He believes that charging interest is good bussiness. He is the merciless villain in the story. He is harrased and abused by Antonio and his friends for which he hates them. He wishes to seek "Christian revenge" on them if he were to get the chance.
Bassanio	Antonio's friend who resides in Venice. He is very careless with his money and often borrows money to live a very extravagant life. He has Antonio borrow money from Shylock and inturn borrows money from him so he can woo and marry Portia.
Portia	Portia is a wealthy bachlorette who is confined by her father's will of the caskets. She is the one whom Bassanio marries after he chooses the lead casket that contained her protrait. She is also the heroine of the play because she saves Antonio from death by using the law against Shylock while disguised.
Antonio	Antonio is the Merchant of Venice. Antonio occasionally lends money but never charges interest. He is the person who loans Bassanio the money to woo Portia. Antonio is then held accountable for the money when the loan time is up. He is saved from dying by Portia.
Lorenzo	Lorenzo a friend of Antonio and Bassanio. He is in love with Shylock's daughter Jessica. Lorenzo and Jessica rob Shylock and then elope.
Jessica	Jessica is Shylock's daughter. She robs her father thens she elopes with Lorenzo disguised as a boy. Since Lorenzo is christian, Jessica to Christianity.
Gratiano	Gratiano is a friend of Bassanio who talks too much. He goes with Bassanio when he chooses between the caskets in Belmont. After Bassanio chooses correctly he asks to marry Nerrisa.
Nerissa	Nerissa is Portia's maid. She marries Gratiano in a double wedding with Portia and Bassanio.
Launcelot Gobbo	Launcelot is a "clown" and Shylock's servant. He thinks Shylock is the devil so he leaves Shylock and goes on to serve Bassanio.
Salarino and Salanio	Salarino and Salanio are from Venice they set up the themes in the story and are often used to give a background of what has been happening.