Antonio agrees to borrow money in his name in order to help his friend Bassanio clear his debts, “Try what my credit can in Venice do”. This displays Antonio’s generous character and confirms their close friendship, “My purse, my person, my extremest means / Lie all unlocked to your occasions.”. However, Antonio’s asserts are not secure so he is also taking a risk for his friend.
Now I will move on to Act 1 Scene 3. Bassanio and Shylock discuss the terms of the loan – 3,000 ducats for three months. I think Antonio sends Bassanio to do this before he arrives because he was possibly afraid that Shylock would refuse to lend him money if he were there after the way he treated him. This emphasises Shylock’s hate toward Antonio.
We discover that Shylock is a committed Jew who hates Christians, especially Antonio. This portrays him as a religious person but also a racist even though he has his reasons. Shylock’s relationship with Antonio is based upon hatred.
Shakespeare makes Shylock repeat each detail of the bond one by one, and then links the separate points by saying: “Three thousand ducat for three months, and Antonio bond” (lines 1-10). Shylock is shown as a good businessman as he is reeling Bassanio in even though he fully intends to lend the money anyway. He is also considering the proposition carefully and this is shown by him repeating the word “well “ at the end of each detail of the bond. This once again is done by Shakespeare’s use of the bond plot.
The clipped short staccato sentences which are exchanged between the two men, “Your answer to that” show us that they don’t like each other. We also get the impression that Antonio is a good person when Shylock says “Antonio is a good man.” He means that Antonio is ‘good’ for that amount of money (3,000 ducats) as well as a good person.
Shylock is interested to hear that Antonio will be responsible for repaying the debt. This is because he is a revengeful character and is pleased to have the opportunity to control Antonio. Shylock is also deceptive and is good at hiding his true feelings. Shakespeare shows this when Shylock manages to hide his hatred for the Christians, though he does warn, “I will not eat with you, drink with you, nor pray with you” (lines 34-5). Shylock is also a knowing character as is shown in the fact that he is well informed about Antonio’s business, and fully aware that all the merchant’s money is at sea. The Jew is a very logical thinker and is able to reflect upon the disasters that might befall a ship at sea and then decides to take Antonio’s bond.
Shylock exposes Antonio as having double standards. Antonio criticises him for usury, but is happy to use the service when he needs it. Shakespeare makes Antonio seem hypocritical here. Antonio is forced to borrow money form Shylock because he promised Bassanio he would and their relationship means so much to him that he would break his strict principle to keep it, “Yet to supply the ripe wants of my friend, / I’ll break a custom”. As he is forced to borrow money from Shylock he reveals an angry side to his character, especially when Shylock reminds him that Antonio has said he would neither lend nor borrow money at interest.
It is important that Shakespeare makes Shylock expose Antonio’s double standard. It portrays Shylock as a victim of prejudice and criticism because he has a different religion and holds different values from those around him. This is the basis of the anti-Semitism that Jews have experienced from non-Jews for so long. Shylock sees the profit he makes as “well won thrift”. He suggests that Antonio sees it as interest (lines 46-7),”Which he calls interest.” Due to this, Shylock is portrayed as being a nicer character than we first thought as we begin to see some justification for his meanness. We also consider Antonio from an enemy’s viewpoint. This is evidence of Shakespeare using the theme of religion and race to portray characters.
The use of prose for the conversation between Bassanio and Shylock in the opening lines of scene 3 suggests informality even though the subject of their discussion is the loan, a formal agreement. This shows Shylock’s intelligence. Shylock makes his enemy feel at ease and this is a clever way for him to sell his services. Shakespeare returns to the more formal verse (blank verse) when Antonio enters to emphasise the stiffer relationship between them.
Antonio enters into a bond on Bassanio’s behalf, which shows that he is a good and loyal friend and that they have a strong bond between them. Antonio agrees to give up a pound of flesh if he cannot repay the loan on time. The fact that Antonio is willing to die for Bassanio just emphasises how much he cares for him. Shakespeare also makes Antonio’s speeches longer and warmer when he is alone with Bassanio to emphasise their closeness.
Shylock says of Antonio “I hate him for he is a Christian” (line 38) and plans to take revenge upon him for the ill-treatment that he has received from the Christians. This shows that he is a grudge bearing character and revengeful. Shylock is often picked on because he lends money and charges interest; something the Christians are not allowed to do. This is Shakespeare’s way of portraying him as an outsider.
This is a key scene because it establishes the main plot – the bond between Shylock and Antonio. This is the only thing that their relationship is based on. Shylock is also firmly established by the information we are given about his religion, profession and vengeful attitude. Shakespeare portrays this attitude through the fact that Shylock sees the bond as an opportunity to “feed fat the ancient grudge” (line 44) he bears Antonio. This is evidence of Shakespeare using the plot of the bond to portray the characters.
Antonio does not like doing business with the Jews, which makes him appear racist. He is also very much against moneylending which emphasises how religious he is as well as the fact that he has strict morals and a character with strong beliefs.
Antonio warns Bassanio “The devil can cite Scripture for his own purpose” (line 94). This warning about Shylock reciting the Bible for his own ends portrays Antonio as a preacher-like figure and suggests that he is older and wiser than Bassanio. It seems that Antonio is the leader in their relationship. Antonio is quickly reminded by Shylock that he requires a favour from the Jew which shows his self-control not to retaliate, and also his forward thinking because he knows that if he secures the deal that he could get his revenge.
Shylock then exploits the situation and recounts at length the ill treatment that he has received at the hands of Antonio. This really shows how cunning Shylock can be. Antonio has:
- Often insulted Shylock in public because of the Jew’s occupation
- Called him a “misbeliever” because of his Jewish faith
- Kicked him as though he were a dog
- Reproved and scolded him,” … many a time and oft / In the Rialto you have rated me”
All these things show that Antonio is an anti-Semitic bully. This animal imagery is often used in the play both by Shylock, and others to describe him. I think that when he is compared to the devil it reinforces his wickedness.
Shylock justifies his business by telling a story from the Bible, which shows that is a character with a longing to be accepted rather than just tolerated.
Shylock asks whether a dog would be able to lend Antonio the money that he needs, and whether Antonio now expects him to be humble like a slave and give him the money. By doing this Shakespeare really portrays Antonio as a bad person and makes us feel sorry for Shylock.
Instead of remaining calm through this, Antonio looses his temper, which shows he is a character with a short fuse. Shylock says to him “Why look you, how you storm!” However, this could just be because it was norm for Christians to attack Jews openly, whereas the laws of Venice prohibited Jews from retaliating. Perhaps this is one reason why Shylock is better at controlling his temper than Antonio and not necessarily because he has good self-control. Also, Antonio would be feeling tense, as he would have resented finding himself at Shylock’s mercy.
The merchant asks Shylock to lend the money “not / As to thy friends” (lines 128-9) but as if he were lending it to an enemy. This just reinforces the act that their relationship is built on hate.
We are given some important information about Shylock’s motives for agreeing to the bond in an ‘aside’ – a speech revealing a character’s inner thoughts to the audience only (lines 38-48) “He lends out money gratis”. Shakespeare chooses to use an aside to portray how very astute Shylock is. Because no-one except the audience is listening to the aside there is no pretence in it; it reveals exactly what Shylock thinks. However, the use of the aside does not necessarily mean that Shylock is a straightforward character. We are also able to find out more about his relationship with Antonio because he says that Antonio looks like “a fawning publican”. This shows us that Shylock hated and despised Antonio because ‘publicans’ mentioned in the New Testament were Jews who gathered taxes from the Jewish population for their Roman rulers.
Shylock offers Antonio a deal which appears to come out of friendship. But as we know that there is no friendliness between the two, we realise that this is just more evidence of Shylock’s ability of masking his true motives and feelings. He says that he will forgive and forget the insults and the attacks made upon him and this reinitiates that he is a good liar.
Instead of paying interest if the loan is not repaid, Antonio agrees “in merry sport” (line 143) to forfeit a pound of flesh. Shakespeare uses the phrase “merry sport” to portray Antonio as being a bit of a joker. This is an example of Shakespeare’s using the theme of money and wealth to portray Antonio’s character. The fact that they go to a lawyer to sign a “bond” (line 141) just shows that Shylock will go to extreme lengths to get his revenge. He has a strong desire for vengeance.
Shylock’s tone becomes less respectful from when he begins his speech “Signor Antonio …” (line 103) to the end of the scene. This shows that he is a very skilled businessman as he is able to change his tone at the beginning so that he can get what he wants.
At the end of the scene, in which we have heard Shylock’s private thoughts which reveal that he is malicious, Bassanio says: “I like not fair terms and a villain’s mind” (line 177). This makes Bassanio appear astute as he calls Shylock a “villain”. And as Bassanio does not like the forfeit it shows that he is a character with the ability to forebode. This is portrayed by Shakespeare use of the theme of appearance and reality. Bassanio is wary of Shylock’s sudden kindness, but Antonio agrees to the Jew’s terms without hesitation. Bassanio shows the intelligence to see through Shylock whereas Antonio is shown to be hasty.
Shylock says that he would have nothing to gain if the bond were forfeit as a pound of human flesh is worthless and this again shows his ability to persuade. Antonio is unconcerned about forfeiting the bond as his ships are due home a “month before the day” (line 177). Shakespeare portrays Antonio as a dangerous risk taker here who is full of self-confidence.
Antonio and Shylock’s relationship changes constantly throughout this scene. The balance of power shifts back and forth between them. But, Shylock manages to achieve the upper hand.
Antonio is the pivotal character after whom the play is named and many aspects of his character are portrayed during this scene. Antonio’s position is high in the social order of Venice. He is not actually a member of the aristocracy and so can never have the power that the Duke exercises, but he is a wealthy and well-known merchant, with all the influence that money brings. This is why he was confident that his “credit” would allow Bassanio to borrow money. A wealthy person who takes someone under his wing is known as a patron, and Antonio behaves as Bassanio’s patron.
Antonio is The Merchant of Venice who really “hazards all he hath” for his friend Bassanio which shows how highly he values their friendship as he is willing to risk all for him. He has many excellent personal qualities , and is an ideal loyal and generous friend. He serves the best interests of others and offers Bassanio his credit without hesitation or reservation. He is trustworthy, responsible and a good Christian because Bassanio knows that he can rely on Antonio to help him. To an Elizabethan audience Antonio would indeed be the model gentleman.
Antonio’s readiness to lend money without interest is the main reason why Shylock hates him so much. We do not witness Antonio “rating” Shylock, or calling him a dog as is claimed but Antonio does not deny it, saying to Shylock, “I am as like/To spit on thee again, to spurn thee too”. This says
If Shylock represents greed in this play, then Antonio represents its opposite, generosity. There are some similarities between them however. Both are businessmen despite their different approach. They are both alone in the world and without the romantic interest experienced by the most of the other characters. Antonio is to an extent an outsider but not as much as Shylock is.
Though Antonio would have called himself a Christian, a vicious side to him is portrayed. He knows the law will support him if he persecutes the Jews and Antonio does not have the moral strength to resist acting like a bully. Just as many ordinary Germans allowed themselves to be swept along by the anti-Semitism of the Nazis, Antonio has been affected by thinking of the time in which he lived. Nevertheless, Shakespeare’s audience would not have seen Antonio’s actions as being unjust; they would have expected to see the Jew being punished.
He is not a simple character. His appalling treatment of Shylock contrasts sharply with his strong loyalty to Bassanio. Antonio is, quite literally, prepared to die for his friend. The close relationship he has with Bassanio is often puzzling to a modern audience. Men would have spent a great deal of time together without any women being around and this has certainly been the case with Antonio and Bassanio.
Shylock, the money-lending Jew, is one of the most famous and complex characters in English Literature. He is usually regarded as a villain, but Shakespeare provides plenty of evidence in Act 1 Scene 3 to contradict a limited view of him as a simple, one-dimensional part.
To a modern audience, Shylock is sometimes a victim and sometimes a villain. The Elizabethan s would have held the much simpler view that the Christians were always right and so Shylock was always in the wrong.
We see him in Act 1 Scene 3, when Bassanio and Antonio ask him for the loan of 3,000 ducats. Shylock is clearly plotting his revenge on Antonio, but our sympathy soon lies with the moneylender because of Antonio’s bullying way with him.
Shakespeare uses the theme of religion and race to present Shylock as a mean, miserly stereotype of a Jew, when it was quite acceptable to be ‘anti-Semitic’. On the face of it, Shylock as an obvious ‘baddie’ but there are reasons for his point of view, both as an individual and as a representative of a minority race.
Shylock has different sides to his character. The first one probably has to be Shylock the businessman. The very first words Shylock speaks say a lot about him as an individual. There are about money: “Three thousand ducats, well”. To Shylock, ducats seem to be less important than revenge.
Shylock is also shrewd and artful. He is well informed about Antonio’s ships and their cargoes from the start of the play, and his craftiness is apparent in the way that he persuades Antonio to agree to the extremely sinister “merry bond” after they have discussed their differences openly. Shylock’s words in lines 14-26, “But ships/are but boards, sailors but men…”, say of his great ability to assess the risks Antonio is taking.
Shylock is also an outsider in many respects who has been subjected to the mockery of Antonio, who lends money for favours without charging interest, whereas Shylock lends money to make his living. The friends have taunted him for his usury but are happy to use his services when they need them.
So just as Antonio and his friends represent all Christians and the majority view of society, Shylock represents all Jews and the minority view. He and his race have developed strong survival skills in a hostile world. I consequently believe Shylock is settling scores for all Jews.
Members of minority groups are sometimes prejudiced against the majority. Line 39 “I hate him for he is a Christian”, is evidence which suggests that Shylock is prejudiced against all Christians.
We are able to gather from the very beginning that Shylock is a highly intelligent man who is true to his faith. However, he is also bitter and driven by hatred.
Bassanio, “a Venetian, a scholar and a soldier”, is a lucky man. He is able to command great loyalty from his best friend, Antonio. His attitude to life is carefree, and this enabled him to live recklessly.
Bassanio is a headstrong young man. In his conversation with Antonio (Act 1, scene 1, lines 122-34) he explains that he has lived extravagantly and has pretended that he is better off than he actually is, so that he now owes money, “How much I have disabled mine estate,/By something showing a more swelling port/Than my faint means would grant continuance”. I think that through Shakespeare’s use of the theme of money and wealth Bassanio is shown to be a flamboyant playboy character and possibly deceiving. He is also a little too ready to fall in love with Portia, and at one stage, seems more interested in her money than in her: “in Belmont is a lady richly left/And she is fair”. I think it is significant that he mentions her money before her looks.
He is quite a shrewd character as he sees the danger of Antonio singing the bond. He is still, however, still prepared to let his friend go ahead and make the promise to Shylock. Antonio obviously feels unconditional love for Bassanio, “That in your knowledge may by me be done,/And I am prest unto it.” However I do not feel that Bassanio is fully deserving of it.
Act 1 Scene 3 is a very important scene which firmly establishes three of the most important characters in the whole play. Shakespeare uses many writers techniques and ingenious plots to portray the characters and exciting dialogue to convey the relationships between the three.
