Referring closely to the Act 1 of the play, Merchant of venice, discuss the character of Antonio and Bassanio in 400-450 words.
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ANTONIO
Although the plot turns on Antonio's predicament, his character is not sharply drawn. He is a rich man, and a comfortable man, and a popular man, but still he suffers from an inner sadness. One obvious, dramatic reason for Antonio's quiet melancholy is simply that Shakespeare cannot give Antonio too much to do or say without taking away valuable dialogue time from his major characters. Therefore, Shakespeare makes Antonio a quiet, dignified figure.
One of Antonio's most distinguishing characteristics is his generosity. He is more than happy to offer his good credit standing so that Bassanio can go to Belmont in the latest fashions in order to court Portia. And one of the reasons why Shylock hates Antonio so intensely is that Antonio has received Shylock's borrowers by lending them money at the last minute to pay off Shylock; and Antonio never charges interest. He is only too happy to help his friends, but he would never stoop to accepting more than the original amount in return. Antonio's generosity is boundless, and for Bassanio, he is willing to go to the full length of friendship, even if it means that he himself may suffer for it.
Antonio is an honorable man. When he realizes that Shylock is within his lawful rights, Antonio is ready to fulfill the bargain he entered into to help Bassanio. "The Duke cannot deny the course of the law," he says. And later, he adds that he is "arm'd / To suffer, with a quietness of spirit . . . For if the Jew do cut but deep enough, / I'll pay it presently with all my heart."
Antonio's courage and goodness are finally rewarded; at the end of the play, when the three pairs of lovers are reunited and happiness abounds at Belmont, Portia delivers a letter to Antonio in which he learns that the remainder of his ships has returned home safely to port.
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BASSANIO
Bassanio's character is more fully drawn than Antonio's, but it does not possess the powerful individuality that Shakespeare gives to his portraits of Portia and Shylock. First off, when one begins considering Bassanio, one should dismiss all the critics who condemn him for his financial habits. Bassanio's request to Antonio for more money is perfectly natural for him. He is young; he is in love; and he is, by nature, impulsive and romantic. Young men in love have often gone into debt; thus Bassanio has always borrowed money and, furthermore, no moral stigma should be involved. Shakespeare needs just such a character in this play for his plot.
If Bassanio is not a powerful hero, he is certainly a sympathetic one. First, he has some of the most memorable verse in the play — language which has music, richness, and dignity. Second, he shows us his immediate, uncalculated generosity and love; this is especially obvious when Bassanio, who has just won Portia, receives the letter telling him of Antonio's danger. Bassanio is immediately and extremely concerned over the fate of Antonio and is anxious to do whatever is possible for his friend. Here, the situation is melodramatic and calls for a romantic, seemingly impossible, rescue mission.
When at last Bassanio and Portia are reunited, he speaks forthrightly and truthfully to her. He refuses to implicate Antonio, even though it was at Antonio's urging that he gave away his wedding ring to the judge who cleverly saved Antonio's life: "If you did know," he tells Portia, "for what I gave the ring / And how unwillingly I left the ring . . . You would abate the strength of your displeasure." No matter how powerful the circumstances, he admits that he was wrong to part with the ring because he had given his oath to Portia to keep it. As the play ends, Bassanio's impetuous nature is once more stage-center. Speaking to his wife, he vows: "Portia, forgive me this enforced wrong; . . . and by my soul I swear / I never more will break an oath with thee." Of course, he will; this, however, is part of Bassanio's charm. He means it with all his heart when he swears to Portia, but when the next opportunity arises and he is called on to rashly undertake some adventure full of dash and daring, he'll be off. Portia knows this also and loves him deeply, despite this minor flaw.
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Hope it helps u.....
~ V ~
___________________________
ANTONIO
Although the plot turns on Antonio's predicament, his character is not sharply drawn. He is a rich man, and a comfortable man, and a popular man, but still he suffers from an inner sadness. One obvious, dramatic reason for Antonio's quiet melancholy is simply that Shakespeare cannot give Antonio too much to do or say without taking away valuable dialogue time from his major characters. Therefore, Shakespeare makes Antonio a quiet, dignified figure.
One of Antonio's most distinguishing characteristics is his generosity. He is more than happy to offer his good credit standing so that Bassanio can go to Belmont in the latest fashions in order to court Portia. And one of the reasons why Shylock hates Antonio so intensely is that Antonio has received Shylock's borrowers by lending them money at the last minute to pay off Shylock; and Antonio never charges interest. He is only too happy to help his friends, but he would never stoop to accepting more than the original amount in return. Antonio's generosity is boundless, and for Bassanio, he is willing to go to the full length of friendship, even if it means that he himself may suffer for it.
Antonio is an honorable man. When he realizes that Shylock is within his lawful rights, Antonio is ready to fulfill the bargain he entered into to help Bassanio. "The Duke cannot deny the course of the law," he says. And later, he adds that he is "arm'd / To suffer, with a quietness of spirit . . . For if the Jew do cut but deep enough, / I'll pay it presently with all my heart."
Antonio's courage and goodness are finally rewarded; at the end of the play, when the three pairs of lovers are reunited and happiness abounds at Belmont, Portia delivers a letter to Antonio in which he learns that the remainder of his ships has returned home safely to port.
____________________________
BASSANIO
Bassanio's character is more fully drawn than Antonio's, but it does not possess the powerful individuality that Shakespeare gives to his portraits of Portia and Shylock. First off, when one begins considering Bassanio, one should dismiss all the critics who condemn him for his financial habits. Bassanio's request to Antonio for more money is perfectly natural for him. He is young; he is in love; and he is, by nature, impulsive and romantic. Young men in love have often gone into debt; thus Bassanio has always borrowed money and, furthermore, no moral stigma should be involved. Shakespeare needs just such a character in this play for his plot.
If Bassanio is not a powerful hero, he is certainly a sympathetic one. First, he has some of the most memorable verse in the play — language which has music, richness, and dignity. Second, he shows us his immediate, uncalculated generosity and love; this is especially obvious when Bassanio, who has just won Portia, receives the letter telling him of Antonio's danger. Bassanio is immediately and extremely concerned over the fate of Antonio and is anxious to do whatever is possible for his friend. Here, the situation is melodramatic and calls for a romantic, seemingly impossible, rescue mission.
When at last Bassanio and Portia are reunited, he speaks forthrightly and truthfully to her. He refuses to implicate Antonio, even though it was at Antonio's urging that he gave away his wedding ring to the judge who cleverly saved Antonio's life: "If you did know," he tells Portia, "for what I gave the ring / And how unwillingly I left the ring . . . You would abate the strength of your displeasure." No matter how powerful the circumstances, he admits that he was wrong to part with the ring because he had given his oath to Portia to keep it. As the play ends, Bassanio's impetuous nature is once more stage-center. Speaking to his wife, he vows: "Portia, forgive me this enforced wrong; . . . and by my soul I swear / I never more will break an oath with thee." Of course, he will; this, however, is part of Bassanio's charm. He means it with all his heart when he swears to Portia, but when the next opportunity arises and he is called on to rashly undertake some adventure full of dash and daring, he'll be off. Portia knows this also and loves him deeply, despite this minor flaw.
__________________________
Hope it helps u.....
~ V ~
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Antonio- After Act1 we find that Antonio is a loyal and good friend who is ready to help his best friend Bassanio. Antonio is sad due to some reason which he is not able to counter. He is a rich merchant and sweet in behaviour though not so sweet towards Jews as he behaves rudely with Shylock. He signs a dangerous bond for his friend Bassanio the bond was dangerous in way as if Antonio is not able to pay the loan he takes in 3 months Shylock have the right to take a pound of flesh from anywhere in his body. Antonio is not married nor do have any family in Venice just his friends. He seems to be over confident while signing the bond. Antonio plays the pivotal role in " Merchant of venice". Throughout the play Antonio is in melancholy mood. Antonio have grudge for Shylock because Shylock lents money to others at high interest.
Bassanio- Bassanio is Antonio's fast friend and is in love with Portia ( lives in Belmont) Bassanio thinks that he can win over Portia so decides to visit Belmont to try his luck but due to lack of money had to take loan from his friend Antonio. After there conversation we come to know that Bassanio had taken a loan from Antonio previously and had not yet paid it and still is asking for another loan. Bassanio is of a happy-go-lucky nature which is in sharp contrast to his friend Antonio's melancholic nature. he is a carefree man who loves to enjoy the pleasures of life. He has nothing heroic in him but he is definitely quite charming. Bassanio who n the beginning , seems to be a spendthrift adventurer, a fortune-hunter and a frivolos young man, proves to be a profound lover and a loyal friend.
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Bassanio- Bassanio is Antonio's fast friend and is in love with Portia ( lives in Belmont) Bassanio thinks that he can win over Portia so decides to visit Belmont to try his luck but due to lack of money had to take loan from his friend Antonio. After there conversation we come to know that Bassanio had taken a loan from Antonio previously and had not yet paid it and still is asking for another loan. Bassanio is of a happy-go-lucky nature which is in sharp contrast to his friend Antonio's melancholic nature. he is a carefree man who loves to enjoy the pleasures of life. He has nothing heroic in him but he is definitely quite charming. Bassanio who n the beginning , seems to be a spendthrift adventurer, a fortune-hunter and a frivolos young man, proves to be a profound lover and a loyal friend.
hope it helps please mark as the brainliest.
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