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 cut exactly a pound of flesh from Antonio, not 

an ounce less, not an ounce more. He also must not create one drop of 

Christian blood. Shylock becomes very nervous and simply asks Antonio 

for the money he owes him. Portia, the lawyer declines this offer and 

Shylock attempts to flee the courtroom. Portia detains him and then 

reminds him of another law. One must never conspire to kill another 

Venetian. Shylock is a defeated man, his dreams of revenge shattered. 

Shylock is forced to give Antonio one half of all his goods, which 

will be passed on to Lorenzo at Shylock's death and Shylock must leave 

everything he owns in his will to Jessica and Lorenzo. The final 

condition was that Shylock becomes a Christian.



        These events gave Antonio a new view of life. The final 

revelation in Antonio's character is seen. From the 'suicidal' man 

filled with sadness and sorrow Antonio is reformed into the successful 

merchant he once was when his ships returned from sea laden with 

goods. However, the only sadness for Antonio is that he has been 

deprived of the chance to sacrifice himself as a gesture of his true 

nobility.



1 Merchant Of Venice. Act 1, Scene 1. Lines 1-5 - Antonio.

2 Merchant Of Venice. Act 1, Scene 1. Lines 39-40 - Salerio.

3 Merchant Of Venice. Act 1, Scene 1. Lines 41-45 - Antonio.

4 Merchant Of Venice. Act 1, Scene 1. Line 46 - Salanio.

5 Merchant Of Venice. Act 1, Scene 1. Line 47 - Antonio.

6 Merchant Of Venice. Act 1, Scene 3. Lines 126-133 - Antonio

7 Merchant Of Venice. Act 3, Scene 2. Lines 123-189 - Jessica

8 Merchant Of Venice. Act 4, Scene 1. Lines 280-285 - Bassanio

9 Merchant Of Venice. Act 4, Scene 1. Lines 286-287 - Portia/Doctor of 

Laws