Merchant of Venice
1. Compare the character of Antonio with that of Bassanio.
2. Explain the theme 'Friendship and Loyalty'.
Answers
The questions asked are from the play 'The Merchant of Venice' by William Shakespeare.
1) Antonio and Bassanio are both close friends and are ready to do anything for each other but they both are completely different. Bassanio is reckless and a spendthrift whereas Antonio is not so, Antonio is a wealthy merchant who provides money to Bassanio so that he can win Portia's hand.
Antonio is loved and cherished by everyone he meets whereas Bassanio is kind of melodramatic throughout the play and is not much serious.
2) The theme of 'Friendship and Loyalty' suits the play perfectly as the whole play revolves around friendship and loyalty only. The friendship of Antonio and Bassanio and their loyalty towards each other and also the friendship of Portia and Nerissa depicts the true meaning of friendship.
The loyalty theme can also be explained by the love of Bassanio towards Portia. He loves Portia very much, in the beginning, the readers come to know that Bassanio only loves Portia due to her wealth but later on his love grows deep for her.