The Merchant of Venice is a play by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1596 and 1598. A merchant in Venice named Antonio defaults on a large loan provided by a Jewish moneylender, Shylock. Although classified as a comedy in the First Folio and sharing certain aspects with Shakespeare's other romantic comedies, the play is most remembered for its dramatic scenes, and it is best known for the character Shylock and his famous demand for a "pound of flesh" in retribution. The play contains two famous speeches, that of Shylock, "Hath not a Jew eyes?" on the subject of humanity, and that of Portia on "the quality of mercy". Debate exists on whether the play is anti-Semitic, with Shylock's insistence on his legal right to the pound of flesh being in opposition to Shylock's seemingly universal plea for the rights of all people suffering discrimination. Characters Antonio – a prominent merchant of Venice in a melancholic mood. Bassanio – Antonio's close friend; suitor to Portia; later the husband of Portia Gratiano – friend of Antonio and Bassanio; in love with Nerissa; later the husband of Nerissa Lorenzo – friend of Antonio and Bassanio; in love with Jessica; later the husband of Jessica Portia – a rich heiress; later the wife of Bassanio Nerissa – Portia's waiting maid – in love with Gratiano; later the wife of Gratiano; disguises herself as Portia's clerk Balthazar – Portia's servant Stephano – Portia's servant Shylock – a miserly Jew; moneylender; father of Jessica Jessica – daughter of Shylock, later the wife of Lorenzo Tubal – a Jew; friend of Shylock Launcelot Gobbo – servant of Shylock; later a servant of Bassanio; son of Old Gobbo Old Gobbo – blind father of Launcelot Leonardo – servant to Bassanio Duke of Venice – authority who presides over the case of Shylock's bond Prince of Morocco – suitor to Portia Prince of Arragon – suitor to Portia Salarino and Salanio (also known as Solanio) – friends of Antonio and Bassanio Salerio – a messenger from Venice; friend of Antonio, Bassanio and others Magnificoes of Venice, officers of the Court of Justice, gaolers, servants to Portia, and other attendants and Doctor Bellario, cousin of Portia Plot summary Bassanio, a young Venetian of noble rank, wishes to woo the beautiful and wealthy heiress Portia of Belmont. Having squandered his estate, he needs 3,000 ducats to subsidise his