The Merchant Of Venice – Antonio (1011 words)

The Merchant Of Venice – AntonioThe Merchant
Of Venice – Antonio
Antonio is a wealthy merchant in the city
of Venice. Although central to the play, Antonio is portrayed by Shakespeare
as an ‘outcast’. It seems that Antonio is chronically depressed and is
not involved in the social atmosphere that is thriving in Venice. –
“In sooth, I know not why I am so
sad: It wearies me; you say it wearies you; But how I caught it. Found
it, or came by it, What stuff ’tis made of, whereof it is born, I am to
learn:”1
Along with Shylock, both men seem bitter
and have difficulty in expressing their emotions. On many occasions friends,
such as Salerio and Bassanio have questioned his sadness, trying to find
an explanation for their great unhappiness with themselves and with the
world. –
Salerio: “But tell not me: I know
Antonio Is sad to think upon his merchandise.2 Antonio: “Believe me, no:
I thank my fortune for it, My ventures are not in one bottom trusted, Nor
to one place; nor is my whole estate Upon the fortune of this present year:
Therefore, my merchandise makes me not sad.”3 Salanio: “Why, then are you
in love.”4 Antonio: “Fie, fie!”5
The mystery of Antonio’s sadness remains,
as he dismisses the prospect that his sadness is related to his ships or
a lost love. Uninterested in the ‘world’ of suitors and marriage, Antonio
is left without his lifelong companion, Bassanio after he travelled to
Belmont to woo Portia.

Early in the play another side of Antonio
is revealed. Antonio is displayed as a hard cruel man, although a Christian,
he displays hatred and contempt towards the Jewish race, usurers and especially
towards Shylock. After kicking and spitting upon Shylock, Antonio shows
no remorse or sympathy for the man he has abused. Antonio even goes to
the point of saying that he would once more spit upon him and kick him
like a stray dog. –
“I am as like to call thee so again,
To spit on thee again, to spurn thee too. If thou wilt lend this money,
lend it not As to thy friends, for when did friendship take A breed for
barren metal of his friend? But lend it rather to thine enemy; Who if he
break, thou may’st with better face Exact the penalty.”6
Many people would ask the question, why
would someone in Shylock’s position want to give anything to a person who
has treated them as badly as Antonio? However, under the interest free
bond that Shylock has created with Antonio lies a need for revenge so great
that Shylock will do anything to take the life of Antonio.

At the beginning of Act 3 the bad news
of Antonio’s ships, lost at sea is spreading around Venice. Jessica confirms
that Shylock will be maintaining the bond that was created now that Antonio
has no way of paying back the bond. –
“When I was with him, I have heard
him swear To tubal and to Chus, his countrymen, That he would rather have
Antonio’s flesh Than twenty times the value of the sum That he did owe
him; and I know, my lord, If law, authority, and power deny not, It will
go hard with poor Antonio.”7
With the realisation that Antonio’s death
is imminent, Antonio, like someone with a terminal illness gives up all
hope of survival. Most people would fight literally for their lives against
Shylock, but Antonio had progressed beyond sadness and had lost his will
to live. Antonio’s immediate acceptance of Shylock’s bizarre bond signals
the secret ‘death wish’ that Antonio holds very close to his heart. Antonio’s
sudden wish to die, brought about through great sadness and loneliness
is affecting Bassanio greatly, who takes responsibility for what has happened.

–
“Antonio, I am married to a wife
Which is dear to me as life itself; But life itself, my wife, and all the
world, Are not with me esteem’d above thy life: I would lose all, ay, sacrifice
them all, Here to this devil, to deliver you”8 A moment of comedy is brought
out after this speech through Portia (Bassanio’s wife), posing as
a Doctor of Laws. – “Your wife would give you little thanks of that, If
she were by to hear you make the offer.”9
During the courtroom scene Portia and
Nerissa undertake their daring plan to save Antonio. As Shylock is preparing
to cut Antonio’s heart from his body, a death which by this time Antonio
freely excepts Portia reminds Shylock of the intricacies of the bond he
made with Antonio. Shylock must