Question

why do you think that antonio is presented as a melancholic character?What could be cause for this melancholy

Answer 1

William Shakespeare presents Antonio as a melancholic character perhaps because he is aware of the misfortune that will come to him in the future. Bassanio was loving Portia very much which was known by Antonio. So, Antonio might be afraid that Bassanio would now show more affection towards portia than towards antonio.