# Gratiano — The Merchant of Venice character guide

> Gratiano in The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Signior Gratiano

**First appearance:** 0002-act-i-scene-i

## Snapshot

Bassanio's loud, irreverent companion, forever cracking jokes and lecturing the melancholy on how to live.

## Who they are

Gratiano cannot abide silence or sorrow, and he tells Antonio plainly that too much respect for the world is what makes men lose it. He talks his way into Bassanio's expedition and into marriage with Nerissa, matching her wit with his own. His mockery of Shylock sharpens the play's unease, showing how easily Venice's Christians laugh at the man they have wronged.

## Relationships

### [Antonio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/characters/antonio)

_friendship_

Gratiano is a friend of Antonio, though his loud and jocular nature contrasts with Antonio's melancholy.

### [Shylock](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/characters/shylock)

_rivalry_

Gratiano is openly hostile and mocking toward Shylock, representing the Christian contempt for the Jewish moneylender.

### [Lorenzo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/characters/lorenzo)

_friendship_

Gratiano and Lorenzo are friends and fellow companions in the Venetian social scene.

### [Antonio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/characters/antonio)

_friendship_

Gratiano is a friend of Antonio, though his loud and jocular nature contrasts with Antonio's melancholy.

## In the story

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/chapters/act-i-scene-i)

Chides Antonio for his melancholy and advocates for mirth and laughter.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-ii)

Asks to go to Belmont with Bassanio, who warns him to behave more modestly.

### [Scene IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-iv)

Participates in the masque preparations and inquires about Jessica's letter.

### [Scene VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-vi)

Waits for Lorenzo, comments on the nature of love and desire.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-ii)

Reveals he has won Nerissa's promise of marriage, and joyfully anticipates a double wedding with Bassanio and Portia.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-i)

Vocal in his hatred of Shylock, he cheers Portia's legal victories and taunts Shylock as 'infidel' and 'currish Jew'.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-ii)

Delivers Bassanio's ring to Portia and invites her to dinner, then agrees to show Nerissa to Shylock's house.

### [Act V, Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/chapters/act-v-scene-i)

Teased by Nerissa about the ring; jokes about cuckoldry and the clerk.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/characters/gratiano
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/characters