Hello!
The entire plot of The Merchant of Venice kicks off because Antonio decides to say "yes" to Bassanio's request for a loan. But...here's the confusing thing: Bassanio clearly owes money all over town, and he isn't even shy about telling Antonio that he wasted all of his money on drinking and partying.
So, why does Antonio decide to lend Bassanio the money...or, even more, why does he decide to stake a pound of HIS OWN FLESH for the sake of this hard-partying, irresponsible guy?
Answer with:
a) quotations from the text
b) thoughts about Antonio's character
c) thoughts about Bassanio's character
d) thoughts about Antonio and Bassanio's relationship
Have fun!
I think that Antonio is a very loyal friend. He realizes that the money is important to Bassanio, who is his kinsman. On the explanation page, it says: "kinsman: This is the only place in the play that such a family relationship is mentioned"(10). I think that Shakespeare does this to emphasize how special their relationship is. Although Bassanio is irresponsible, it is clear that Portia is very important to him. I think that the main reason Antonio lent Bassaino the money is because he is a very generous and loyal man. He says "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 have" (162-164) This shows that he clearly wants to help out Bassanio. When Bassanio questioned if Antonio really wanted to do this he got offended because it was an insult to his beliefs.
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DeleteI agree with Kayla that Antonio and Bassanio's relationship is very special. I think that Antonio is willing to give Bassanio all his money and risk his own flesh because of their strong friendship. On page 17, Antonio says, " Within the eye of honor, be assured/ My purse, my person, my extremist means/ Lie all unlocked to your occasions" (154-156). Antonio is willing to give up all of his wealth to help his best friend. This shows Antonio's generosity, and emphasizes his special friendship with Bassanio.
DeleteI really like your point about generosity. I didn't notice that before. All I identified was loyalty and it's interesting to ponder the idea that Antonio is not only a loyal friend, but also a generous one.
DeleteKayla,
DeleteI like your addition of Shakespeare's quotation at the beginning of the book. Their friendship being described as "a family relationship" does indeed help show how close and special their friendship is. It also serves as an explanation to why, regardless of Bassanio's irresponsibility in repaying previous loans, Antonio still wants to help. He trusts his friend will ultimately pay him back and wants to keep giving him a hand because of this amazing friendship they hold.
In Antonio's world, loyalty and friendship is valued above all else. Bassanio and Antonio have a very strong friendship that revolves around trust. Although he may be aware of the faults of his friend, Antonio still decides to loan him money because he trusts him. In scene 1, Bassanio asks for a loan from Antonio. Although Bassanio has an awful reputation for returning loans, Antonio still decides to give him not only his money but also his "person" demonstrating his complete love and trust vested in his good friend. Antonio declares,"My purse, my person, my extremest means/Lie all unlocked to your occasions"(145-6). Not only does Antonio agree to the loan Bassanio requests, but he gives him much more: his faith and himself. By using the dramatic words "my person, my extremest means," Shakespeare conveys the extreme love and emotion Antonio feels towards Bassanio. Ultimately, good friends jump through hoops in order to please each other, and nonetheless is apparent in the friendship between Antonio and Bassanio.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the main reason as to why Antonio is more than willing to lend Bassanio money is because he prioritizes his friendship with Bassanio. Their friendship and trust for each other is so strong, they are practically like brothers. I think that the quotation you chose really shows that Antonio would give everything to help Bassanio and highlights just how strong their relationship is. The emphasis of how Antonio would do anything for Bassanio is especially evident when he says that he is not only willing to give his "purse," but also his "person." This foreshadows the later event where he agrees to give "an equal pound/ Of [his] own fair flesh,"(37) to Shylock if he cannot repay Bassanio's debt on time. Shakespeare suggests that Antonio is a person who thinks of his friends before himself.
DeleteAntonio agrees in lending the money because he understands the true meaning of friendship. His life, unlike Shylock and other merchants, holds greater depth than just in money. He doesn't feel the need to pay interest nor be mad when Bassanio pleads for money. Bassanio loves Portia and Antonio, as a loyal friend, believes it is right to help and give your friends what they need. Shylock attacks Antonio, establishing him as a villain who doesn't even ask for interest when allowing others to burrow his money. Antonio's understanding of real friendship is portrayed when he replies with, "Yet, to supply the ripe wants of my friend,/I'll break a custom"(65). His relationship with Bassanio holds deeper meaning than typical "customs" to Antonio, ultimately playing as an explanation for his unusual yet right actions in his friendship with Bassanio. Although Bassanio isn't great at repaying loans and Antonio is contributing greater to the friendship at this particular time, he will repay in actions in the future. We only realize the value of friendship when we are in need of a hand to help us. Antonio's hand given when Bassanio needs it most will guarantee Antonio a hand when he needs a favor. The value of their friendship plays a huge role in the decisions and as the reasoning behind Antonio's willingness to give a loan and help his friend.
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Antonio lends Bossanio the money because Antonio's love and care for Bossanio goes beyond the dollar. Bossanio is a guy who enjoys partying, women and not having a care for the world, whilst Antonio focuses on work, success, and his loyalties to his friends. Bossanio says, "To you, Antonio,/I owe the most in money and in love,/And from your love I have a warranty" (pp. 15 Lines 137-9). Bossanio is saying that he owes a lot of money and he knows that, but that he appreacates it when Antonio doesn't give up on him and lends him money, because to him it shows that Antonio cares about him. I think Antonio's loyalty is very strong, but I do think there should be time when he could try and help Bossanio, like declining him more money and telling him he respects Bossanio but that he needs to try and use his own money.
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