Characters in The Merchant of Venice

            Gratiano is a good friend of Antonio and Bassanio. Contrary to the gloomy, solemn and so unduly silent Antonio, "peevish" as described by Gratiano, Gratiano himself appears to be the more cheerful and upbeat individual. He is a very admirable subordinate character, who does not mind being the jester among his friends. Then again, one speech of his which starts with the line "Let me play the fool", in his own defense, contains a whole volume of wisdom which is unlikely surprising as it comes from someone who initially appears nonchalant and carefree from the start of the play. .
             During his speech, there are several literary devices used in the speech to clearly reflect Gratiano's playful personality. For example rhetorical question ¬and oxymoron is being used as seen in "Why should a man whose blood is warm within Sit like his grandsire cut in alabaster, Sleep when he wakes, and creep into the jaundice By being peevish?" Gratiano's intention of asking these questions would not be to obtain a serious answer but to remind his fellow friend realise what he will be missing out in life. This shows that Gratiano is a man who wants to enjoy life and not waste any time doing nothing.
             Besides that, hyperbole is also being applied by Shakespeare to describe Gratiano's sarcasm as appear in "I am Sir Oracle, And when I ope my lips, let no dog bark!" It would show how much Gratiano loathes those who seems respectably wise, stern and silent but deep down they are merely brainless fools. Perhaps Gratiano has seen quite a few of such hypocrites in his social surroundings, thus he would prefer not be in the likes of such people. It also shows that he thinks that he is more dominant and that no one shall speak when he is speaking indicating that he is very controlling and domineering and that he likes to be at the top and being superior. Moreover, this also shows that Gratiano is very possessive as he says "when I ope my lips, let no dog bark!" which means, when he talks, he think everybody else should keep quiet, and that even dogs should stop barking.