Question

Antonio seems to have it all. Why, then, is Antonio so sad? Why doesn’t he know the cause of his
sadness? What guesses do Solanio and Salerio have about the causes of his depression? What lifts his
depression?

Answer 1

Antonio doesn't know the cause behind his sadness. The reason behind this is Shakespeare's way of attracting his audience. By introducing Antonio as the melancholic character of the play, the audience will have a first impression which is completely changed by the end of the drama. It is just a very vague beginning. which later on turns out to become interesting by Bassanio's need for money and goes on.