How does Antonio look like in Merchant of Venice?
How does Antonio look like in Merchant of Venice?
Antonio is the title character in Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. An influential, powerful, and wealthy nobleman of Venice, he is a middle-aged man and a merchant by trade who has his financial interests tied up in overseas shipments when the play begins.
What is the character sketch of Antonio?
Antonio is a kind-hearted man who lends money to needy people without charging any interest from them. In this respect he offers a striking contrast to Shylock who is a usurer. (A usurer is a money lender who charges excessive rates of interest on the loans which he gives).
What does Antonio do in The Merchant of Venice?
Antonio is the merchant of the title and is the first character we meet in this play. He has invested all his money in cargo that is currently on numerous ships. When his best friend Bassanio asks for a loan of 3000 ducats, he is unable to offer cash, but agrees to act as a bond.
Who is Antonio Bassanio?
Bassanio. A gentleman of Venice, and a kinsman and dear friend to Antonio. Bassanio’s love for the wealthy Portia leads him to borrow money from Shylock with Antonio as his guarantor. An ineffectual businessman, Bassanio proves himself a worthy suitor, correctly identifying the casket that contains Portia’s portrait.
Is Antonio a gentleman?
Salarino’s description reveals Antonio to be a kind gentleman and a loyal and caring friend. His desire to see his friend Bassanio happy in life and love overrides his sorrow in watching his friend depart.
Which trait of Antonio’s personality is revealed in this extract?
He is loyal and kind and would do anything for Bassanio. In The Merchant of Venice, Bassanio needs Antonio’s financial help in order to marry Portia, a wealthy heiress. Although Antonio will most likely miss Bassanio if he gets married, he’s also selfless and wants to help his best buddy find happiness.
How is Antonio presented in The Merchant of Venice essay?
Although the plot turns on Antonio’s predicament, his character is not sharply drawn. He is a rich man, and a comfortable man, and a popular man, but still he suffers from an inner sadness.
Why is Antonio a good character?
Antonio is honest, never trades or loans unethically and does all things kind and good like helping a poor friend in need even at the cost of his life. He is rich and influential but Shylock turns him into a scapegoat. His honesty and love for his friend are his weaknesses that Shylock explots against him.
Is Bassanio Antonio’s cousin?
Bassanio, your most noble kinsman” (1.1. 60). The term kinsman in Shakespeare often refers to a cousin. If Bassanio and Antonio are cousins, then it is no longer questionable for Antonio to lend Bassanio the 3,000 ducats, nor is Bassanio’s departure from Belmont for Venice questionable.
Does Bassanio kiss Antonio?
Early in the new film version, when Bassanio asks Antonio for the money, Radford has the two retire to Antonio’s bedroom to talk. They discuss Bassanio’s plans and Antonio agrees to help. But before he leaves, Bassanio delivers a kiss that is as passionate as any with Portia.
How did Shakespeare present Antonio?
Therefore, Shakespeare makes Antonio a quiet, dignified figure. One of Antonio’s most distinguishing characteristics is his generosity. He is more than happy to offer his good credit standing so that Bassanio can go to Belmont in the latest fashions in order to court Portia.