Antonio: Believe me, no – I thank my fortune for it – My ventures are not in one bottom trusted.
(i) What are Antonio’s ventures?
(ii) What is intended by the sadness of Antonio?
(iii) For what reason does Antonio thank his fortune?
(iv) How can it be easy for Antonio to shed his sadness and be cheerful?
Answers
Answer:
Antonio is addressing Shylock. When Antonio asked Shylock for a loan of three thousand ducats for his friend, Shylock reminded him how he had been insulting him in private and public for his usury.
Salanio says that Antonio is sad because he has no one to make him merry or laugh. ... Antonio does not want to lose Bassanio to Portia and he is afraid of losing him. Antonio could also be sad because he cannot lend Bassanio money since his money is tied to the ships
Antonio responds by saying that he isn't overly worried about the ships. He has enough money that is diversified in enough investments that he can financially survive the loss of the ships. Upon the fortune of this present year. Therefore my merchandise makes me not sad."
Antonio and his friends are in a street in Venice. Antonio says that his sadness makes him depressed and dull. He further says that he is yet to learn about the origin and nature of his sadness.