# Lorenzo — The Merchant of Venice character guide

> Lorenzo in The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** young Lorenzo

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

## Snapshot

A Venetian gentleman who moves easily among Bassanio's circle, Lorenzo loves by moonlight and by risk, courting Shylock's daughter in secret.

## Who they are

Lorenzo belongs to the young Venetian set that gathers around Bassanio and Antonio, welcome at dinner and trusted with errands. His desire for Jessica pulls against the city's hard lines of faith and family, turning affection into theft and elopement. In the play's early-middle movement he becomes the human hinge between Shylock's house and Belmont, carrying both a stolen daughter and stolen ducats into the world of music and courtship.

## Relationships

### [Launcelot Gobbo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/characters/launcelot_gobbo)

_professional_

Launcelot Gobbo serves as Lorenzo's servant after leaving Shylock, providing comic relief and loyalty.

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

_friendship_

Antonio and Lorenzo are friends, with Lorenzo being part of Antonio's social circle in Venice.

### [Portia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/characters/portia)

_friendship_

Lorenzo and Portia are friends and in-laws after Lorenzo marries Jessica, with Portia entrusting him with her house during her absence.

### [Bassanio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/characters/bassanio)

_friendship_

Bassanio and Lorenzo are close friends, with Lorenzo eloping with Jessica while Bassanio pursues Portia.

### [Gratiano](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/characters/gratiano)

_friendship_

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

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

_rivalry_

Lorenzo is Shylock's enemy, having eloped with Shylock's daughter Jessica and stolen his money.

## In the story

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

Arrives with Bassanio and Gratiano; leaves with Gratiano before Bassanio's private conversation with Antonio.

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

Plans the masque and receives Jessica's letter detailing her elopement.

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

Arrives late to meet Jessica and elope with her.

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

Lorenzo is entrusted with the management of Portia's house during Bassanio's absence.

### [Scene V: A Garden in Belmont](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-v)

Exchanges playful insults with Launcelot, then discusses Portia with Jessica, comparing their own marriage favorably.

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

Romantic exchange with Jessica; receives the deed of gift from Shylock.

## Links

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