Salanio & Salarino

Characterization
These two are always seen together, it is rare to read a passage with one in it and not the other. Usually described as big and burly, these two are Antonio's henchman. They aren't very clever and they miss a lot of obvious humor, but they do provide some comedy throughout the play and the novel.They plays a important role in bringing news about the cargo ship which was of Antonio.

Role in The Merchant of Venice
Both of these characters appear in The Serpent of Venice, still providing comic relief, these two seem to be dumber than they were in ''The Merchant of Venice. ''Taking more of a bystander role, Salanio and Salarino are in the loop about the drama, but don't seem to take part in the action. There is only one instance that we see them involved for a few pages. Salanio and Lorenzo chase Pocket, the fool, when Lorenzo thinks Pocket overhears his conversation discussing his plan to use Jessica. After Pocket jumps into the waterways, they look for him, this leads to Salanio getting his head ripped off by the sea serpent, Viv, This kills him shortly after she also kills Lorenzo. Later Viv also kills Salarino by slashing his throat with her tail. This takes place when him and Gratiano are trying to kill Shylock. Antonio wants Shylock dead because he is in debt to him, Salarino and Gratiano stalk Shylock, but this ends in Salarino's death. The two henchman die violently while trying to serve Antonio.

Role in The Merchant of Venice
In The Merchant of Venice Salarino and Salanio don't die, this leaves them with an even less prominent role. They poke fun at Shylock and Antonio, they seem ever less committed to Antonio than they are in The Serpent of Venice. They are still Antonio's henchmen, but them seem a little more intelligent in this play. They give certain things context to make events in the play more understandable. They also provide comic relief, but overall in The Merchant of Venice Salarino and Salaino are bystanders.

Famous Adaptations
See below for the actors who played Salanio and Salarino in the 2004 movie adaptation of The Merchant of Venice, their names are John Sessions and Gregor Fisher. Usually, these characters look alike and seem to have a distinguished look to them. In some of the movie adaptations they look like The Three Stooges, so basically big, funny looking guys.

Connections to Other Characters
Antonio

Lorenzo

Pocket

Gratiano

Gallery


Movie depicition of Salanio and Salarino