Antonio

Characterization

 * Merchant of Venice - In this play Antonio is the title character although the story isn't completely revolved around him. He is a rich, popular, well known merchant in Venice, but still perceives some inner-sadness and melancholy. Shakespeare sort of makes Antonio a dignified, quiet character and doesn't give him to much to do or say to ensure he doesn't take away dialogue from some of the major characters of this play . Antonio is a very generous man and this may be his best characteristic. You can see this when he loans money to Bassanio to go to Belmont to try for Portia's hand. Also Antonio loans money to his friends and apprentices and never asks for interest when they pay him back. He is happy to be able to help his friends and wouldn't ever ask them to repay more than they owe. Antonio is a very honorable man as well. You see this when it comes time for him to repay his debt to Shylock by giving Shylock a pound of his flesh. He is willing to do so and doesn't try to coward away from his agreement. Although Antonio is mostly good he is still racist and stereotypical towards Shylock and the Jewish people.
 * Serpent of Venice - In this book by Christopher Moore Antonio is not quite the man he is in the original play by Shakespeare. In fact, in this story Antonio is an antagonist where in the original he is a protagonist. In this story Antonio is much more greedy and evil. You this greed come out in the very beginning when he wants to have another crusade for his own personal gain. Also he kills to try to ensure that this crusade will happen. He kills an innocent queen, Cordelia, and tries to kill her husband Pocket as well. The Antonio in the original play would never do such a thing, in fact, he rarely does anything to benefit himself in the original play. The one thing that the character portrays in both stories is his antisemitism and racist views of Jews.

Relationships

 * Salanio- Apprentice of Antonio's.
 * Salerio- Apprentice of Antonio's.
 * Gratiano- Mutual friends through Bassanio.
 * Tubal- In debt to Tubal because he gives the money to Shylock to lend to Antonio.
 * Brabantio- Partner of the plot to start another crusade.
 * Iago- Partner of the plot to start another crusade.
 * Pocket- The man he is trying to kill.
 * Shylock- The Jew who the original bond is made with.
 * Bassanio- His best friend and who Antonio truly cares about.

Motives

 * Merchant of Venice- In this play it seems that everything Antonio does is to please or help someone else, especially Bassanio. In this play Antonio is willing to go the full length of friendship for Bassanio by putting himself in harms way to help Bassanio.
 * Serpent of Venice- In this novel Antonio seems to be all about himself and increasing his wealth. He will go to extreme measure to make this happen including murdering innocent people. The one motive he shares in both stories is his care for Bassanio. The one difference is in this story is that Antonio truly loves Bassanio.

Notable Adaptations of Antonio
The Merchant of Venice (2004 film) Jeremy Irons as Antonio

The Merchant of Venice (2015 play) Jamie Ballard as Antonio