Question

Character sketch of Antonio in Act 2 scene 8

Answer 1

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. He is kind, generous, honest and confident, and is loved and revered by all the Christians who know him. His willingness to die for Bassanio is a manifestation of his character. Antonio manifests anti-semitism  by cursing and spitting at Shylock (anti-semitism was common in Europe in Shakespeare's days). He is a structural centre of the play.

Answer 2

Antonio is an extremely loyal friend to Bassanio and an honorable businessman who does not place unfair fees on loans. While he is generally successful in his business as a merchant, he is willing to risk his finances and his life for the sake of Bassanio's happiness. Antonio also displays a degree of prejudice in his antagonistic relationship with Shylock.