In the play The Merchant Of Venice, there are many prominent characters. There is Bassanio and Antonio, the wealthy business types and Shylock a scrutinized Jew. And of course three women, Portia, Nerissa and Jessica, who are to be wed by Bassanio, Lorenzo and Gratiano to complete this tragedy. Keep in mind that women were played by male actors in Shakespeare's plays. Each of these characters is comedic, in some cases powerful, and overall they help to bring the play and the city of Venice to life. However there are two characters, Salerio and Salanio, whose relevance doesn't really stand out. In fact when the Shakespeare lists the characters, he states Salerio and Salanio only as friends of Antonio and Bassanio and Venetian gentlemen. It's not that Salerio and Salanio aren't insignificant characters but that they do fit in with Venetian life by keeping the action going and developing the major characters.

Salerio and Salanio are two indistinguishable Venetian men with no definitive role. Salanio and Salerio (in some editions of the play called Salarino or Salerino) are not popular roles with many Shakespearean actors. As minor characters in the play, these young men have little

These two Christian men of Venice share a certain set of values, but these values are not always entirely consistent or self-evident. In lieu of Christian thinking it is believed that Antonio is a Christ figure who loves mankind enough to die for him, Portia is like the Virgin Mary and Shylock the devil. Also, these so-called "Christians" of Venice lack Morality. For Salerio and Salanio, as Venetians and supporters of Antonio, it is assumed they uphold Christian values. The only way this is shown is their view of the Jewish population in Venice as different. It's worth remembering that Salanio's account of Shylock crying in the streets in Act II scene 8, is the testimony of the most vulgar sort of anti-Jewish sentiment. In (Act 2, Scene2), for example, Salanio identifies Shylock as "the devil...in the likeness of a Jew". Therefore, it is proven that the Christian virtues of moderation, unselfishness, and consideration for others are not practiced and not appreciated. A couple thoughts come into place in consideration of Salerio and Salanio and the other characters as Christians in Venice. Is Venice a "Christian" state or a commercial state? Which value proves dominant here? Where can one draw the line between commercial interests and "Christian" values? Does Christianity reward prodigals or thrifty merchants? Will forgiveness of debts "impeach the justice of the state"? Is this a state that assumes a universal common humanity, or makes such universalism conditional on being "in Christ," a citizen rather than a stranger? It is also interesting to note that Venice seems to have a darker more evil side than Belmonts heavenly picturesque.

To take Salerio and Salanio out of the play would create a lot of confusion as well as characters expressing all their emotions to the open air. Shakespeare had a good idea of what these two were in the play for and discluded who they are as characters which seems to work well for it's audience.

individuality which makes them the least interesting characters in the play. For example, Salerio excuses himself by asserting that his only concern is to make Antonio merry, and that he is leaving because better friends have arrived. (I.1.60-61)# Since Salerio and Salanio function largely as commentators, stage directors have a

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