The story, "A Merchant of Venice", is story that tells the moral of being selfish as well as selfless. The setting of this story took place around the 1500s. This was a time of religious segregation as well as harsh business. Ideals and key points of society such as religion, money marriage, justice, chastity etc. were much different back then from how they are now. The character Antonio, is a clear description of a clever yet cunning person in that time period. From the way he thinks, acts, and speaks, he shows the intellects of a person that thinks beyond common knowledge. He is and example of the modern day business man. He knows the art of dealmaking and finding ways to getting what he wants while also showing kindness to people closes to him.
In the beginning of the story, we find Antonio very sad, almost depressed. "In sooth I know not why I am so sad: It wearies me, you say, it wearies you; But how I caught it, found it, or came by it, What stuff 'tis made of, whereof it is born, I am to learn."(Act 1, Scene 1, lines 1-5) Unlike most depression cases, he knows not why he feels this way. Although not very touched upon further in the story, it is believed that love is the thing that keeps he spirit on the low end. But disregarding he inner feelings and self conflicts, he decides to help he "BFF" Bassanio. This is the first example of Antonio's kind side. "You know me well, and herein spend but time To wind about my love with circumstance, And doubt you do me now more wrong In making question of my uttermost Than if you had made waste of all I have: Then do say to me what i should do, That in your knowledge may by me be done, And I am preset into it: therefore, speak."( Act 1, Scene1, lines 153-160) This particular saying shows the audience how he feels to his friend. He would be more hurt if Bassanio told him none of his social foibles than if Bassanio squandered with his fortune. He also, toward the ending of the story, is willing to give his life so that his friend could remain happy. In this particular time period, kindness was a little difficult to come by mostly because areas would be over cumbered by business and religious segregation. Antonio breaks that barrier and shows to Bassanio the kindness that most certainly he wouldn't have received from anyone else.
Another trait of Antonio that is shown to us through the play is his slightly wise yet very clever way of thinking. We most see this we he is striking the deal with Shylock for the three thousand ducats. While discussing with Bassanio the terms of the actual contract, Shylock nearly has a change of heart when he finally meets Antonio. Reason being is that Antonio discriminated Shylock because of his religon being Jewish. But finding a way to talk him into loaning the money, Shylock was forced to give in. "If though lend this money, lend it not As thy friends- for when did friendship take A breed for barren metal of his friend? But lend it rather to thine enemy,Who if he break, thou mayst with better face Exact the penalty." (Act 1, Scene 3, lines 129-134) This line shows Antonio's true intellects. He doesn't beg that Shylock loans the money, yet, he basically tempts Shylock to. He persuades Shylock, knowing that with the way he thinks, he will do anything to embrace his enemies suffering. Although this is really the only evidence of his cleverness, it is proven to be a very powerful example. The reason is that you can tell by modern day examples and history that enemies aren't very well persuaded by each other. so you can see the cunning intellects that Antonio has.
Lastly, the main trait that basically makes the story so great is Antonio's way of keeping his promises. Antonio is a great example of a man of his word. In this story, he promises many things. He promises Bassanio that he would help him see Portia and get him the money, and He also promised Shylock that he would pay back all three thousand ducats, and if not, he would basically give his life. Although there are only 2 main promises, they are very divine in a way. He put himself in a life or death situation and was willing to suffer the consequences. Knowing that it wasn't gonna be easy, he still undertook the task of asking a loan from his archenemy Shylock. And after thoroughly convincing him, which wasn't a very easy job, he was able to get the required money. Also, he was willing to keep the promise of cutting a pound of flesh because he wasn't able to pay back the loan. Most people would have found a way out of the punishment, of escaped in hopes of relieving themselves of the responsibility. But Antonio was ready to go through with what he put himself into.
Our modern world has many problems equivalent to historical world of Shakespeare. Although there may not harsh business or religious segregation, there are still major foibles that go against our values. The character of Antonio is someone that is still needed in the modern world. A person that is clever/wise, kind, and a man of the word, is a person that can survive through hardships. He has the intelligence of a business man, yet the somewhat values of a monk. Overall I feel that Antonio is a vry important character to this story that reveals one of the many morals that is to be learned.
