WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE: The Merchant of Venice

Read the extract below and answer the question

If I can catch him once upon the hip,
I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him.
He hates our sacred nation, and he rails,
Even there where merchants most do congregate,
On me, my bargains, and my well-won thrift,
Which he calls interest;......
(Act 1 Scene Three, lines 39-)


The speaker is