Question

comment upon the way in which Salarino and Salarino is trying to make Antonio happy. Are they good friends to Antonio? Why/Why Not?​

Answer 1

Answer:

Antonio tells his friends Salarino and Salanio that he's sad and he's not aware of the reason behind his this state. Being friends Salanio and Salarino give various reasons for his sadness and try to bring him out of it. Every reason states that Antonio is sad because of his vast merchandise which is not so, according to Antonio.

Yes, it was great of them trying their best for Antonio but maybe they could have done better. Later in the scene, when almost all of their reasons fail to be the real reason of Antonio's melancholy they tell Antonio that he is sad because he is not merry and it'd be as easy to say he is happy çause he's not sad.

Salarino :

Not in live neither? Then let us say you are sad,

Because you are not merry; and 'twere as easy

For you to laugh and leap and say you are merry,

Because you are not sad.

Now, what kind of a reason is that. This may be a sign of Salanio telling "Just change the topic. I cant deal with this anymore!" ,i. e., signifying the end of their conversation.

He simply tells Antonio that it is common that he is sad as there are two types of people one who laugh like parrots and other who were more serious than Nestor.

Also Salarino and Salanio walk away as soon as they see Bassanio and his other friends approaching telling Antonio that they'd have made him merry if worthier friends hadn't prevented them.. which i dont think is much manipulating as to hide the fact that they've already finished the conversation.

Salanio:

Here comes Bassanio, your most noble kinsman,

Gratiano, and Lorenzo. Fare ye well:

We leave you now with better company.

                                           

So, these were my views upon their friendship. :)

Hope this helps!