Lorenzo

Lorenzo is a friend of Bassanio’s and eventually marries and runs away with Jessica. He is shown to be quite capable and intelligent as he and Jessica evade Shylock and Tubal when they run away to Genoa. Though we are shown that the love he and Jessica share is truly genuine, it is difficult for us as a 21st century audience to truly find his character agreeable. It is evident that Lorenzo acts as a catalyst for much of the tragedy within the play, but somehow remains entirely unscathed. It is at times frustrating to see him easily avoid any semblance of comeuppance.