What were the circumstances that led to the signing of the fatal bond by Antonio in The Merchant Of Venice? State also its consequences.
Answers
Antonio , the good money lender went to Shylock, the shrewed money lender of Venice.They both were enemies, so shylock took advantage of this situation and made antonio sign the fatalbond. ButAntonio was not able to return the money on time. As a result antonio was presented infront of the judge in the court. The contract said that shylock will cit a pound of flesh from a part of antonio's body according to his desire if the money was not returned on date.
Atlast Antonio's was saved by the wit of his friend's wife who disguised herself as a lawyer and fought for Antonio's justice.she made Shylock agree to accept the money though it was late.She also pointed that the contract said only about the flesh and not about bleeding.Shylock was unable to cut a pound of flesh without thout a drop of blood.As a result Antonio's life was saved.
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Antonio, the wealthy merchant who was a friend of Bassanio had no money at that moment when Bassanio asked him for it to go to Belmont to woo and marry Portia, a rich heiress of Belmont. So both of them went to Shylock a cunning money lender hated by Antonio so Shylock who wanted to take revenge made Antonio sign a bond which termed that if Antonio would not be able to pay 3000 ducats in 3 months, then Shylock would have the right to cut a pound of flesh of Antonio nearest to his heart. Antonio whose ships failed to reach Venice within time had forfeited the bond and Shylock was very enthusiastic on pursuing the bond had given it in the court of Venice. However, it was the cleverness of Portia, Bassanio's wife who dressed as Dr. Balthazar that saved Antonio's life.
Antonio was avery close friend of bassanio and was also a very generous person. He lent loans to people without charging them any interest. This caused other moneylenders mainly Shylock to turn against him. Antonio was a very kind-hearted person,, but like every other man, he had his flaws- he despised the jews. Once, bassanio asked Antonio for some money, but Antonio didnot have any at hand because he had invested it all in his business ventures. Bassanio wanted the money because he wanted to go to Belmont and court the rich and beautiful heiress Portia. Despite not having the money, Antonio agrees to help bassanio by becoming his guarantor/ surety for the bond if he borrows money form another money lender. Bassanio and Antonio, then meet shylock, another moneylender who offers to lend the requested amount of 3000 ducats for 3 months. Shylock seems like a nice person to Antonio because he offers to lend the money without charging them any money, but on reality, shylock is a wicked man because he sees this as an opportunity to thke his revenge on Antonio since he ( Antonio) hated Jews and shylock haed Christians. Antonio used to look down upon the newspaper and publicly humiliate them. Shylock was a person dedicated to his religion and thus wanted revenge. Shylock forgoes his previously highly charged interests and demands instead that if the day for payment falls due and the money is not returned, he may cut off one pound of flesh from Antonio's body. Antonio agrees because all of his ships are due back in Venice a full month before the bond falls due. This leads Antonio to sign the fatal bond. Hope this helps!! All the best.