"Although Antonio is the merchant who gives the play its title, it would be fair to say that he is a less important character than Bassanio."
"The main plot (the story of the bond) revolves around him, but he is seen comparatively little in the play and his character is not developed as fully."
" "
"He is shown from the beginning to be a melancholy man. Indeed, the first words of the play paint this picture of him:"
"*In sooth, I know not why I am so sad."
" "
"This sadness seems to be a natural habit and is not due to any external factor. Even when he is surrounded by caring friends, he cannot shake off his gloom."
6
"Antonio's other main characteristic is generosity and warmth of friendship. This is revealed in the play by his close relationship with Bassanio. He has obviously lent Bassanio money previously, but cheerfully offers him more."
"In fact, he goes out of his way to relieve Bassanio of any embarrassment he may have in asking for a loan."
" "
"He even agrees to Shylock's unusual terms, even though he must have been wary of them. The highest point of this great friendship comes when Antonio is preparing to die in the courtroom scene."
"Even in this terrible situation, Antonio is thinking of Bassanio rather than himself when he says:"
"*Grieve not that I am fall'n to this for you."
10
"In this speech he tries to relieve Bassanio of the guilt he must be feeling."
"He even has the courage at this desperate instant to make a joke with the lines:"
"*For if the Jew do cut but deep enough,"
"*I'll pay it instantly, with all my heart."
" "
"Antonio is held in great esteem by almost all the characters in the play. Bassanio praises him frequently in phrases like:"
"* ...the kindest man"
"*The best conditional and unwearied spirit"
"*In doing courtesies..."
"Gratiano praises him also, and even the Duke takes his side in the Trial Scene."
7
"There is a negative side to Antonio's character, however. Besides his natural gloominess, he also appears as a rather passive character who does little to help himself."
"In the face of the threat on his life from Shylock, he just seems to accept his fate."
"We can appreciate his deep friendship for Bassanio, but at the same time, it seems that he may have carried this concern too far by letting things get to the stage where he had to forfeit his bond before letting Bassanio know the true situation."
" "
"Worse than this to a modern audience is Antonio's religious and racial prejudice towards Shylock."
"He does not deny Shylock's claim:"
"*You spat on me on Wednesday last.../ ..You called me dog..."
6
"In fact, Antonio confirms this:"
"*I am as like to call thee so again,"
"*To spit on thee again, to spurn thee too."
" "
"Although this attitude would have been common in Shakespeare's time, and accepted by his audience, it strikes a harsh chord today."
"This utter contempt for a member of a minority race does little to enhance the image of Antonio as a 'Christian gentleman.'"
13
"*QUOTES"
"There follows a list of quotes which may be useful in assessing the character of Antonio."
" "
"*Antonio about himself"
"Such a want-wit sadness makes of me"
"That I have much ado to know myself (I,1)"
" "
"I hold the world but as the world, Gratiano -"
"A stage, where every man must play a part,"
"And mine a sad one. (I,1)"
" "
"My purse, my person, my extremest means"
"Lie all unlocked to your occasions. (I,1)"
14
"*QUOTES (Cont.)"
"Then do but say to me what I should do"
"That in your knowledge may by me be done,"
"And I am prest unto it. (I,1)"
" "
"I am as like to call thee so again,"
"To spit on thee again, to spurn thee too. (I,3)"
" "
"I am a tainted wether of the flock,"
"Meetest for death (IV,1)"
" "
"I oft delivered from his forfeitures"
"Many that have at times made moan to me."
"Therefore he hates me. (III,3)"
12
"*QUOTES (Cont.)"
"I do oppose"
"My patience to his fury, and am armed"
"To suffer with a quietness of spirit"
"The very tyranny and rage of his (IV,1)"
" "
"*Bassanio about Antonio"
"The dearest friend to me, the kindest man"
"The best-conditioned and unwearied spirit"
"In doing courtesies, and one in whom"
"The ancient Roman honour more appears"
"Than any that draws breath in Italy. (III,2)"
14
"*QUOTES (Cont.)"
"*Bassanio about Antonio"
"But life itself, my wife, and all the world"
"Are not with me esteemed above thy life (IV,1)"
" "
"*Shylock about Antonio"
"He hates our sacred nation."
"He lends out money gratis and brings down"
"The rate of usance here with us in Venice. (I,3)"
" "
"Fair sir, you spat on me on Wednesday last;"
"You called me 'dog' (I,3)"
" "
"A beggar that was used to come so smug upon the mart! (III,1)"
9
"*QUOTES (Cont.)"
"*Shylock about Antonio"
"He hath disgraced me and hindered me half a million, laughed at my losses, mocked at my gains, scorned my nation, thwarted my bargains, cooled my friends, heated mine enemies - and what's his reason? I am a Jew. (III,1)"
" "
"*Salerio about Antonio"
"A kinder gentleman treads not the earth. (II,8)"
" "
"*Solanio about Antonio"
"I think he only loves the world for him (Bassanio) (II,8)"
7
"*QUOTES (Cont.)"
"*Solanio about Antonio"
".... the good Antonio, the honest Antonio - O that I had a title good enough to keep his name company - (III,1)"
" "
"*Lorenzo about Antonio"
"How true a gentleman"
"How dear a lover of my lord your husband, (III,4)"
