Merchant Of Venice C Antonio
Of Shakespeare¡¯s earlier comedies, the Merchant Of Venice is certainly the most outstanding one in which Shakespeare creates tension, ambiguity, and most of all, the dark forces of negativity and hate. Although the traditional theme of this play is to praise the friendship between Antonio and Bassanio, and to expose the insatiable greed and brutality of the Jew. ... In this essay, I will discuss Antonio, the great man¡¯s characteristic. My first impression of Antonio is a wealthy merchant in the city of Venice. Although central to the play, Antonio is portrayed by Shakespeare as an ¡°outcast¡±. It seems that Antonio is chronically depressed and is not involved in the social atmosphere that is thriving in Venice. ... Salerio: "But tell not me: I know Antonio Is sad to think upon his merchandise.2 Antonio: "Believe me, no: I thank my fortune for it, My ventures are not in one bottom trusted, Nor to one place; nor is my whole estate Upon the fortune of this present year: Therefore, my merchandise makes me not sad. ... "4 Antonio: "Fie, fie! ... Uninterested in the ¡°world¡± of suitors and marriage, Antonio is left without his lifelong companion, Bassanio after he travelled to Belmont to woo Portia. Early in the play another side of Antonio is revealed. Antonio is displayed as a hard cruel man, although a Christian, he displays hatred and contempt towards the Jewish race, usurers and especially towards Shylock. ... ¡± Antonio says this, thinking that no Jews are kind, emphasizing naivety. Then Antonio sees the Hebrew, Shylock, becomes amiable, which he believes thats impossible. So Antonio interprets the scenario as Shylock being Christianized, because he is becoming generous instead of parsimonious and abominable. This quotation shows how Antonio thinks that his religion, Christianity, is superior to Judaism. ... After kicking and spitting upon Shylock, Antonio shows no remorse or sympathy for the man he has abused.