compare and contrast antonio and shylock. on the surface they appear to be completely different. however, they do share some traits in common. express your views
Answers
Antonio and Shylock are the two characters in William Shakespeare's play “Merchant of Venice.” Antonio and Shylock are the very known person in the city of Venice. Both the characters are merchants who lend money to the one who needs it but in a different way altogether. Antonio lends money not for gaining huge profits rather help whereas Shylock is a cunning Jew who lends money and extracts a huge amount of interests from it. He can move to any extent to take his interest out from the people.
In the play, they both get apart from the thing to which they are most attached to. Antonio has to depart from his dearest friend Bassanio while Shylock's daughter Jessica elopes with all her father's money with her. For Antonio, its the relation of friendship which is of greatest value but Shylock cries over his money and for his daughter. Though he is disgusted over her elopement because she had eloped with a Christian boy.
Antonio's friendship and love for Bassanio are remarkable as he puts all his wealth and power so that Bassanio could gain his love. On the other hand, Shylock cries over his wealth and for his daughter. At the end of the play, Antonio gets all his ships and money back while Shylock losses all his remaining properties too.
In this play, both Antonio and Shylock are moneylenders and wealthy merchants. Antonio lends to help people and make friends but Shylock lends to earn interest and forfeit their property. Both of them are closely attached to their near and dear ones. Antonio is closely attached to Bassanio, his friend. Shylock loves his daughter Jessica very much. Antonio is respected in Venice because of his good nature but Shylock is hated because of his greed and his Jewish religion.