COMMENT ON THE BOND OF FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN ANTONIO AND BASSANIO AS POTRAYED IN THE ACT 1 SCENE 1 OF MERCHANT OF VENICE.
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Answer:
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Explanation:
That Antonio and Bassanio are very good friends, becomes clear right from the initial scenes. Whatever slight doubt is there gets cleared by the end. Throughout the drama, the two friends are dearer than life to each other. Their love and trust for each other are evident at every stage of the drama. Each one of the two is ready to go to any extent to serve and help the other. It is visible that Bassanio is less a friend and more a brother to Antonio.
Merchant of Venice. Act 1 Scene 1.
Antonio lets Bassanio use his money like it’s his own. He does not differentiate between himself and his friend. Bassanio has no money and he has been living in debt which he plans to repay. He also feels embarrassed over the large sums he has been borrowing from Antonio. However, Antonio’s money is tied in the cargo which is still at sea. So, he asks him to borrow from anyone in Venice in his name and go and see Portia. Bassanio has to do little to persuade his friend for money. Antonio is already more than willing to lend him. This proves Antonio’s selflessness and that he considers Bassanio a brother.
Another proof of Antonio and Bassanio’s deep friendship comes in scene 3 of Act 1 when the two are before Shylock to ask him for a loan. Shylock is surprised at his luck that how destiny has brought two of his worst enemies in Venice to his doors seeking help. The crazy Jewish moneylender reminds them of how bad Antonio has been to him in the past. Hw would call Shylock’s business practices unfair, spit on him, and kick him. He is still willing to lend them the three thousand ducats. Shylock does not want to let this opportunity of exacting revenge from Antonio go. However, he is ready to lend them money only on the condition that given Antonio fails to repay; he would lose a pound of flesh from his body as Shylock wills. Antonio knows that his friend needs the money and tells the Jew that had the situation been different, he would have treated him just as he always does. It shows his stubbornness and proves that inside his heart, Antonio is innocent and a little childish. Had it not been so, he would have been able to avoid the trap Shylock had set. For his friend’s sake, he is willing to accept the Jew’s offer and also ready to change his attitude towards Jews in the future.
Antonio is doing it all for his friend since he would not like to see Bassanio disappointed. Bassanio suspects that the villain is up to something very cunning and tries to stop Antonio from accepting the Jew’s offer. He would instead go without the money than let his friend put his life at stake. However, Antonio convinces him that as soon as his ships arrive from the sea, he will return the Jew his money. All of this shows that the two friends love and trust each other deeply, and they will make any sacrifice for one another. It also shows that Antonio is quite emotional about his friend and can grow blinded by his love for him.