Question

conclusion about character of Portia and shylock​

Answer 1

Answer:

rowseNotessearch

Search for any book or any question

HOMEWORK HELP > THE MERCHANT OF VENICE

What can we conclude about Antonio's character?

print Print document PDF list Cite

Expert Answers

THANATASSA eNotes educator| CERTIFIED EDUCATOR

Antonio is one of the more important characters in Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice. He is portrayed as a wealthy merchant who is well-respected in the city of Venice. He is intended to be admired for his role as a mentor and father figure to the rather imprudent Bassanio. Antonio is portrayed as loyal and self-sacrificing, willing to risk the loss of a pound of flesh for his young friend.

Close examination of his character, though, makes him somewhat less admirable. First, something many modern readers will find disturbing is his virulent antisemitism, behavior that underlies Shylock's insisting on such a harsh penalty. Antonio's treatment of Shylock shows a vindictive side to his character and religious and ethnic bigotry.

Next, Antonio's cash flow crisis makes the audience wonder if he is an imprudent merchant, prone to excessive risk taking and acting on impulse. His providing security to Bassanio to help Bassanio win the hand of a rich wife is problematic; outside of romantic drama, a good mentor would suggest that Bassanio curtail his expenses and get a job. Some critics have suggested a possible homosexual relationship between Antonio and Bassanio to account for the way in which Antonio seems so recklessly and impulsively self-sacrificing, though others argue that close male friendships with strong emotional overtones were common in this period and do not necessarily entail homosexual relationships.

please mark brainliest