Character Profiles- Lorenzo and Gratiano Flashcards
How is Lorenzo in love with Jessica?
Lorenzo is a friend of Bassanio and Antonio. Lorenzo is a Christian who is on love with Jessica. He’s one of the most romantic characters in the play as he talks openly about his feelings for Jessica and discusses the beauty of music. Lorenzo can be reckless. He runs away with Jessica but he doesn’t have a clear plan for their future. Their stay at Belmont hints they have nowhere to live.
At the end of the play, Lorenzo is very grateful for the money he’ll inherit from Shylock, but there is little to suggest he won’t waste that too. He describes himself and Jessica as “starved people” which implies that the money from Shylock has already gone. Lorenzo’s love and respect for Jessica makes him seem less prejudiced than other characters in the play. However, he’s not completely open minded as he still refers to Shylock as a “faithless Jew”
How is Gratiano presented as a energetic character?
Gratiano is friends with the other Venetian men but he is particularly close to Bassanio. He goes to Belmont with Bassanio where he marries Nerrisa. Gratiano doesn’t take life very seriously. His energy contrasts with Antonio’s sadness when he lectures Antonio on the importance of “mirth and laughter”. He’s a bit of a liability, such as the way Bassanio describes him as “wild” and fears it could hurt his chances of marrying Portia if Gratiano comes to Belmont. Gratiano’s relationship with Nerrisa mirrors Bassanio’s relationship with Portia where they both undergo a test of loyalty and have a happy ending.
Gratiano doesn’t show Nerrisa the same amount of affection as Bassanio does to Portia, suggesting his love may not be as strong. Act 4 scene 1 reveals a sinister side to Gratiano’s character. He says that “Shylock must be hanged and tells him “be thou damned”, inexecrable dog!”. The dark and violent imagery that Gratiano uses illustrates his ruthless attitudes towards Jews
