the reveal between the character of Antanio and bassanio by their freindship
Answers
That Antonio and Bassanio are very good friends gets clear right from the initial scenes. Whatever slight doubt is there gets cleared by the end. Throughout the drama, the two friends are more dear than life to each other. Their love and trust for each other are evident at every stage of the drama. Each one of them is ready to go to any extent to serve and help the other. It is visible that Bassanio is less a friend and more a brother to Antonio
Antonio lets Bassanio use his money like it’s his own. He does not differentiate between himself and his friend. Bassanio has no money and he has been living in debts which he plans to repay. He is himself feeling embarrassed over the large sums he has borrowed from Antonio. However, Antonio’s money is tied in the cargo which is still at sea. So, he asks him to borrow from any one in Venice in his name and go and see Portia. It is evident that Bassanio has to do little to persuade his friend for money. Antonio is already more than willing to lend him. This proves Antonio’s selflessness and that he considers Bassanio, a younger brother
Another proof of Antonio and Bassanio’s deep friendship comes in scene 3 of Act 1 when the two are before Shylock for a loan. He reminds them how bad Antonio has been to him in past, calling his business practices unfair and spitting on him and kicking him. He is willing to lend them the three thousand ducats but on the condition that if Antonio fails to repay, he would lose a pound of flesh from his body as Shylock wills. Antonio knows that his friend needs the money and clearly tells the Jew that had it not been so, he would have treated him just as he always does.