Antonio

How does his character change? Antonio’s character does not actually seem to change much (even appear much! ) throughout the play. His presence can be classified into 4 major portions :  Act 1, Scene 1 (the introduction)  Act 1, Scene 3 (the sealing of the bond)  Act 3, Scene 3; Act 4, Scene 1 (the trial)  Act 5, Scene 1 (the rings + ending) Different aspects of his character are revealed through each of these sections, but there are only new discoveries, not changes

His personality

Sober, solemn, solitary “In sooth I know not why I am so sad” (I, i, 1) “I hold the world but as the world, Gratiano - / A stage, where every man must play a part, and mine a sad one” (I, i, 78-79)  His first few lines (first impression) show clearly his melancholy character, and the lack of a girlfriend or a family shows he is more of a loner

Dignified, courageous “Leave him alone/ I will follow him no more with bootless prayers. He seeks my life” (III, iii, 19-21) “I do oppose/ My patience to his fury, and am armed/ To suffer with a quietness of spirit/ The very tyranny and rage of his” (IV, i, 10-13) “But little, I am armed and well-prepared” (IV, i, 263)  Antonio shows dignity in Act 3, Scene 3 in his conduct against Shylock’s thirst for revenge. His attitude in the trial also shows considerable courage, being “fearless” of death.

Desire to uphold justice and the law (unselfishness) “The Duke cannot deny the course of law;/ For the commodity that strangers have/ With us in Venice, if it be denied, / Will much impeach the justice of the state” (III, iii, 25-29) “And that no lawful means can carry me/ Out of envy’s reach” (IV, i, 9-10) “...Let me have judgement, and the Jew his will.”  Antonio has been said to be too eager to die, but his insistence of not making an exception in his case shows his unselfishness

Selfless, sacrificing “Therefore I do beseech you/ Make no more offers, use no further means,/ But with all brief and plain convenience/ Let me have judgement, and the Jew his will.” (IV, i, 80-83) “But little, I am armed and well-prepared” (IV, i, 263) “Repent but you that you shall lose your friend,/ And he repents not that he pays your debt;/ For if the Jew do cut but deep enough,/ I’ll pay it instantly with all my heart” (IV, i, ) “I once did lend my body for his wealth,... I dare be bound again,/ My soul upon the forfeit, that your lord/ Will never more break faith advisedly.” (V, i, )

Generous “He lends out money gratis...” (I, iii, 40) “So please my Lord the Duke and all the court/ To quit the fine for one half of his goods.” (IV, i, ) “My Lord Bassanio, let him have the ring“ (IV, i, 448)  The lending of money to free people under Shylock is an obvious act of generosity, and even his insistence that Bassanio give the ring could be said to arise too as such

His relationship with others

Tactful and polite with mere acquaintances “Your worth is very dear in my regard./ I take it your own business calls on you, / And you embrace the occasion to depart” (I, i, 62-64) “Fare you well. I’ll grow a talker for this gear.” (I, i, 110) vs. “Is that anything now?” (I, i, 114)  Shows great tact in treating of friends (more honest with Bassanio), probably as a result of his dealings in the business world

Unconditional friendship with Bassanio and complete trust “And if it stand as you yourself still do, / Within the eye of honour, be assured/ My purse, my person, my extremest means/ lie all unlocked to your occasions” (I, i, ) “You know me well, and herein spend but time/ To wind about my love with circumstance,/ And out of doubt you do me now more wrong/ In making question of my uttermost/ Than if you had made waste of all I had.” (I, i, ) “Where money is; and I no question make/ To have it of my trust or for my sake” (I, i, )

Unconditional friendship with Bassanio and complete trust “And even there, his eye being big with tears,/ Turning his face, he put his hand behind him,/ And with affection so wondrous sensible/ He wrung Bassanio’s hand...” (II, viii, 46-49) “I think he loves only the world for him” (II, viii, 50) “Notwithstanding, use your pleasure – if your love do/ not persuade you to come, let not my letter” (III, ii, ) “Pray God Bassanio come/ To see me pay his debt, and then I care not,” (III, iii, 35-36)

Unconditional friendship with Bassanio and complete trust “I once did lend my body for his wealth, /Which but for him that had your husband’s ring/ Had quite miscarried. I dare be bound again,/ My soul upon the forfeit, that your lord/ Will never more break faith advisedly.” (V, i, )  His friendship with Bassanio is indisputable, willing to sacrifice so much for him, confiding in him and showing emotion through his usually solemn character.

Racial and religious prejudice against Shylock “Mark you this, Bassanio, / the devil can cite Scripture for his purpose” (I, iii, 93-94) “You call me ‘misbeliever’, ‘cut-throat dog’, / And spit upon my Jewish gabardine” (I, iii, ) (Shylock quoting Antonio) “You that did void your rheum upon my beard/ And foot me as you spurn a stranger cur/ Over your threshold” (I, iii, ) (Shylock quoting Antonio) “I am as like to call thee so again, / To spit on thee again, to spurn thee so” (I, iii, )

Held in high regard by his friends “a kinder gentleman treads not the earth” (II, viii, 35) “You were best to tell Antonio what you hear. -/ Yet do not too suddenly, for it may grieve him” (II, viii, ) “...that the good Antonio, the/ honest Antonio – O that I had a title good enough to/ keep his name company.” (III, i, 12-14) “The dearest friend to me, the kindest man,/ the best conditioned and unwearied spirit/ In doing courtesies, and one in whom/ The ancient Roman honour more appears/ Than any who draws breath in Italy.”(III, ii, )

Racial and religious prejudice against Shylock “He hath disgraced me and/ hindered me half a million, laughed at my losses,/ mocked at my gains, scorned my nation, thwarted my bargains, cooled my friends, heated my enemies/ – and what’s his reason? I am a Jew.” (III, i, 51-54) “You may as well do anything most hard/ As seek to soften that – than which what’s harder? - / His Jewish heart” (IV, i, 78-80)  Most of the evidence of Antonio’s insults occurs from Act 1 to Act 3: but the clear hatred shows itself (“Hear me yet, good Shylock”)

Hated by Shylock “How like a fawning publican he looks./ I hate him for he is a Christian;” (I, iii, 37-38) “...a bankrupt,/ a prodigal who dare scarce show his head on the/ Rialto, a beggar that was used to come so smug upon the mart!” (III, i, 40-43) “I am very glad of it. I’ll plague him; I’ll torture/ him. I am glad of it,” (III, i, )

Seems to be deceived by Shylock’s friendly overtures at first (overconfident?) “Content, in faith, I’ll seal to such a bond/ And say there is much kindness in the Jew” (I, iii, ) “Hie thee, gentle Jew. / The Hebrew will turn Christian; he grows kind” (I, i, ) “Come on. In this there can be no dismay;/ My ships come home a month before the day” (I, iii, )  Antonio seems to be easily taken in by Shylock, though actually it is not too unreasonable to suppose the bond could be paid

Conclusion Antonio, overall, is a rather sad character, probably not deserving to be a “villain” What is the worth of a man? In Antonio’s case, his worth comes about from his friends’ relationship with him

Thank you for listening Any questions?