Antonio Quotes Flashcards
‘In sooth, I know not why I am so sad’
At the start of the play, Antonio’s initial line ‘In sooth, I know not why I am so sad’ creates an uneasy atmosphere. Antonio’s sadness is inexplicable but his enigmatic proclamation sets him us as a generally melancholic character for the rest of the play. His friends are also suffering from an overwhelming sense of ennui as they want to enjoy themselves but their friend is preventing them from doing so.
‘My purse, my person, my extremest means,
Lie all unlock’d to your occasions.’
Antonio is already allowing Bassanio to take anything despite not knowing what he wants. This reinforces the love that Antonio has for Bassanio. Antonio also offers Bassanio his ‘person’ which represents his body which may suggest a sexual relationship. This introduces the friendship between the characters as well as Antonio’s homosocial attitude.
‘go forth; Try what my credit can in Venice do’
The relationship between Antonio and Bassanio is seen as a very strong one. The use of imperatives by Antonio here shows his determination to help Bassanio. It also demonstrates his confidence as he s almost certain that Bassanio will get the amount required. The use of the personal pronoun ‘my’ illustrates that Antonio is willing to take a loan for Bassanio in his name once again demonstrating Antonio’s adoration of Bassanio.
‘I neither lend nor borrow
By taking nor by giving of excess,
Yet, to supply the ripe wants of my friend,
I’ll break a custom.’
Here, Antonio is willing to go against his religious beliefs just so that his friend Bassanio can benefit. This strengthens their relationship.
‘The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.’
As Antonio strives to procure a loan from Shylock, and Shylock displays the full force of his animosity, Antonio does not restrain himself from denigrating Shylock – even as “the devil.” Of course, Antonio is here providing a general saying, but the thinly veiled implication is that Shylock is functioning as the devilish figure in this interaction. Antonio has, at other occasions, more directly spat on Shylock or referred to him as a dog, so this wording is perhaps unsurprising. It also, though, emphasizes the extent to which the Jewish and Christian communities in this play isolate themselves from each other theologically. The devil is the common enemy of both religious traditions, but in this colloquial saying, Antonio is associating Shylock with the devil.
‘The Hebrew will turn Christian’
Antonio jokes that the only possible explanation for Shylock’s kindness is that e’s turning Christian which again reinforces how he believes that Jews cannot be kind. It also foreshadows Shylock’s forced conversion in Act 4.
‘My ships come home a month before the day’
Antonio’s unconcerned attitude makes him seem overconfident. This eases the tension as the audience fear for Antonio if he does not pay his debt off to Shylock.
Introduction
In the dark comedy play ‘The Merchant of Venice’, Shakespeare portrays Antonio, the titular Merchant of Venice, as a man who is dearly loved by his fellow Christian friends and shares an especially strong connection with Bassanio. His benevolent and munificence is greatly appreciated by Bassanio yet throughout the play, his prejudiced views are also highlighted through his mistreatment of Shylock as well as his pessimistic outlook on life.
‘All debts are cleared between you and I, if I might but see you at my death’.
In Act 3 Scene 2, Antonio’s letter to Bassanio reads ‘All debts are cleared between you and I, if I might but see you at my death’. Antonio’s letter shifts the mood of the scene from joyous to dismal. Through the use of the letter, Shakespeare presents Antonio as a killjoy as he ruins the ceremonial atmosphere in Belmont. Shakespeare also structures this scene is a way that represents the homosocial society in the 16th century as the relationship between men was much stronger than that between a husband and wife. This once again represents the strong connection between Antonio and Bassanio, who is willing to leave all the luxuries of Belmont to see his friend.
‘The duke cannot deny the course of law:
For the commodity that strangers have
With us in Venice’
Antonio has a martyr complex as he is willing to sacrifice his life not only for Bassanio but also for Venice. In the 16th century, Venice’s law was known for treating foreign traders fairly which attracted businessmen from all over the world. Denying Shylock’s bond would damage the reputation.
‘Repent but you that you shall lose your friend’
This makes Antonio seem like a killjoy as he is making Bassanio feel guilty for his death. This creates a melancholy mood and makes the audience feel sympathy for Antonio.
‘He presently become a Christian’
Antonio might think that he is being merciful here as 16th Century Christians believed that all Jews went to hell so Antonio could be trying to save Shylock’s soul. Shylock sees this as betraying his nation.
