Escolar Documentos
Profissional Documentos
Cultura Documentos
2
It is just because Antonio has such an excellent character in every respect
that we may forgive him for his ungentlemanly behavior towards the Jew. Shylock
protests:
Fair sir, you spit on me on Wednesday last:
You spurnd me such a day; another time
You calld me dog.
These remarks of Antonio destroy in us all possibility of sympathy for him. According
to Spilsbury and Marshall, this is the only fault of his character, but it is a grave one.
Dramatic Significance
Antonio is certainly a passive character, colourless and unimpressive. He is a
mere shadow besides Shylock and Portia, and unsubstantial, even in comparison with
his Venetian friends. But dramatically he is of the greatest importance. He is the very
core and centre of the play. He is related to all the characters of the play in one way
or the other. Bassanio, Gratiano, Salarino, Salanio and Lorenzo are his friends.
Shylock is his enemy. Portia is his savior. He is the centre of interest in the play. It is
he who helps Bassanio to go to Belmont and win the hand of Portia there. His pound
of flesh bond leads directly to the trial scene where Portia comes to his rescue.