The Merchant of Venice, Act 4
495Lines
2Scenes
9Speakers
68% / 32%Male / Female Lines
Act 4 of The Merchant of Venice runs 495 lines across 2 scenes with 9 speaking characters — about 18.6% of the full play.
Opens (Scene 1) — Duke: “I am sorry for thee: thou art come to answer”
Closes (Scene 2) — Nerissa: “Come, good sir, will you show me to this house?”
The 2 scenes of Act 4
Who speaks in Act 4
Leading voice: Portia with 31% of Act 4’s dialogue (151 lines).
| Character | Lines in act | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Portia ♀ | 151 | 30.5% |
| Shylock ♂ | 103 | 20.8% |
| Antonio ♂ | 66 | 13.3% |
| Duke ♂ | 57 | 11.5% |
| Bassanio ♂ | 50 | 10.1% |
| Gratiano ♂ | 38 | 7.7% |
| Clerk ♂ | 17 | 3.4% |
Who carries the voice in Act 4
Act 4 reflects the play’s overall balance — 32% female dialogue (play average: 28%).
Act 4
Male 335 · Female 160
Characters first heard in Act 4
About Act 4 of The Merchant of Venice
How many lines are in Act 4 of The Merchant of Venice?
495 lines spread across 2 scenes.
Who dominates Act 4?
Portia delivers 31% of the act’s dialogue (151 lines).