Although the plot turns on antonio s predicament, his character is not sharply drawn. The merchant whose love for his friend bassanio prompts him to sign shylocks contract and almost lose his life. He is a rich man, and a comfortable man, and a popular man, but still he suffers from an inner sadness. Although the plays title refers to him, antonio is a rather lackluster character. Bassanio wants to marry portia, a wealthy heiress, but he doesnt have enough. In william shakespeares the merchant of venice, antonio is the venetian merchant for whom the play is titled. Without a mate, he is indeed the tainted wetheror castrated ramof the flock, and he will likely return to his favorite pastime of moping about the streets of venice iv. An influential, powerful and wealthy nobleman of venice, he is a middleaged man and a. Antonios character analysis in the merchant of venice. Published in 1596, the merchant of venice tells the story of shylock, a jew, who. After all, he has effectively disabled himself from pursuing. An ineffectual businessman, bassanio proves himself a worthy suitor, correctly identifying the casket that contains portia s portrait. The merchant of venice although the plays title refers to him, antonio is a rather lackluster character.
The character of antonio in merchant of venice shakespeares merchant of venice is a masterpiece, a drama that proves the authors prowess and art. A gentleman of venice, and a kinsman and dear friend to antonio. Icse solutions selina icse solutions ml aggarwal solutions. Although classified as a comedy in the first folio and sharing certain aspects with shakespeares other romantic comedies, the play is most. In his contemporary revision of the merchant of venice, howard jacobson set out to. Character analysis antonio although the plot turns on antonios predicament, his character is not sharply drawn.
Antonio is the title character in shakespeare s the merchant of venice. When he realizes that shylock is within his lawful rights, antonio is ready to fulfill the bargain he entered into to help bassanio. The merchant of venice character analysis icse class 10, 9 english. It is believed to have been written between 1596 and 1599.
Every book on your english syllabus summed up in a quote from the office. Antonio, a venetian merchant, the title character of shakespeares the merchant of venice. Antonio the merchant of venice from the works of william shakespeare. Merchant of venice is antisemitic smithsonian magazine. The merchant of venice character analysis a plus topper. Antonio is a merchant of venice who has invested deeply in overseas ventures, to the. Antonio fictional character, the merchant of venice britannica. While hamlet may be shakespeares mopiest character, antonio sure gives him a run for his money. The merchant of venice cliffsnotes study guides book. Although the plot turns on antonios predicament, his character is not sharply drawn. But just what exactly did shakespeare see in the character. Character sketch of antonio in merchant of venice a plus topper. In william shakespeares bromance, the merchant of venice, antonio, the main character, is best friends with bassanio. Antonio cliffsnotes study guides book summaries, test.
When the play opens on the streets of venice, antonio appears onstage and tells his buddies that hes totally bummed out but doesnt know why. Character sketch of antonio the merchant of venice youtube. In act 1, scene 1 of the merchant of venice, antonio wonders why hes so depressed. Ostensibly the subject of the play, antonio serves. Villain or victim, shakespeares shylock is a character to celebrate. Bassanio s love for the wealthy portia leads him to borrow money from shylock with antonio as his guarantor. The central characters in the drama are two friends antonio and bassanio pitted against a jewish and cunning villain shylock. Antonio is so certain of the return of his ships that he accepts shylocks bond of a pound of. Extended character analysis in william shakespeare s the merchant of venice, antonio is the venetian merchant for whom the play is titled. Antonio s generosity is boundless, and for bassanio, he is willing to go to the full length of friendship, even if it means that he himself may suffer for it. The merchant of venice is a 16thcentury play written by william shakespeare in which a merchant in venice named antonio defaults on a large loan provided by a jewish moneylender, shylock. Antonio is a rich venetian merchant, bassanios bff, shylocks archenemy, and the guy who puts up a pound of flesh as collateral so bassanio can borrow money in order to woo portia in style. Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on youtube. An influential, powerful and wealthy nobleman of venice, he is a middleaged man and a merchant by trade who has his financial interests tied up in overseas shipments when the play begins.
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