More Character Summaries with Quotes
BASSANIO
Bassanio is the character which triggers the entire plot of this play. He falls in love with Portia and attempts to woo her by borrowing money in Antonio’s name. Although he is not keen on the bond Shylock, the moneylender, sents, he does allow Antonio to go through with it. This sets up the climax of the day and allows Portia’s wit and intelligence to be seen by the audience.
Bassanio is portrayed as quite a confident (bordering on cocky) character with youthful stupidity. He is very self confident and the way that he takes money from Antonio is selfish yet he is extremely grateful.
When Bassanio wins Portia’s hand in marriage but still chooses to ask her first, rather than assuming she will agree. This is one example of where we see his kindness and the way that he treats others with respect. We also see this in the way that he and Antonio attempt to make a deal with Shylock. Antonio refuses to borrow the money as Shylock's friend and agree to stop mocking him but Bassanio strongly encourages him to do that. He is also unwilling to let Antonio put himself at risk of a bad bond on his part but is unsuccessful at convincing him not to agree.
- “To you Antonio, I owe you the most in money and in love.” - Bassanio A1S1:130-131
- “I remember him well, I remember him worthy of thy praise.” - Portia A1S2:118-119
- “You shall not seal to such a bond for me, I’ll rather dwell in my necessity.” - Bassanio A1S3:151-152
- “The word is still deceived with ornament.” - Bassanio A3S2:74
- “As from her lord, her governor, her king.” - Portia accepting Bassanio’s hand in marriage. A3S2:165
ANTONIO
Antonio is quite an influential character. In fact, the entire play is named after him. He provides a motive for Shylock’s eventual evil. He is shown as a kind and caring mentor figure for Bassanio, and is very generous with him. However, we also see a very cruel side of him, in the way he chooses to treat Jewish people, the outcasts of society.
Antonio has two very clear sides to him. He is rich and well respected. We see the fond way he treats Bassanio and how he is very generous towards him. We also see the disdain with which he treats Shylock. In the beginning of the play, he is clearly upset and not himself, but unable to pinpoint why. He says it is not because of the ships containing his wealth and certainly not because he is in love.
In the beginning of the play, we believe Antonio to be quite a respectable and kind mentor figure for Bassanio, but very quickly his true colours are revealed in the cruelty that he inflicts upon Shylock. Calling him names and spitting on him is one thing, but his refusal to be remorseful shows us that Antonio is a product of his time, with very racist beliefs.
- “I hold the world but as the world, Gratiano, A stage where every man must play a part, And mine a sad one.” - Antonio A1S1:77-79
- “My purse, my person, my extremest means Lie all unlocked to your occasion.” - Antonio to Bassanio A1S1:138-139
- ”Antonio is a good man.” - Shylock A1S3:12
- “But Antonio is certainly undone.” - Tubal A3S1:118
- “I am a tained wether of the flock, Meetest for death.” A4S1:114-115
SHYLOCK
Shylock is one of the most influential characters in the plot of “The Merchant of Venice.” His interactions with Antonio help to develop Antonio’s character and the bond he sets with Antonio is what forces the plot forwards. When Shylock chooses to honour the bond they have set, this provides the climax of the action.
Shylock can be seen as both a villain and a victim. We see how he loves his daughter Jessica and values his relationships with his servants. We see how he is made an outcast by society. We see how he is bullied by Antonio and left by the people who love him. We then see him hell bent on getting revenge at Antonio’s expense.
In the beginning Shylock seems to be quite a good character who is in a terrible situation by no fault of his own. By the end of the play we see how Shylock has been betrayed and will now do anything he can to make Antonio play. The play ends with “justice” being served, where everything that Shylock has left is taken from him.
- “The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose. An evil soul producing a holy witness Is like a villain with a smiling cheek, A goodly apple rotten at the heart. O what a goodly outside falsehood hath.” - Antonio A1S3:95-99
- “For sufferance is the badge of our tribe. You call me misbeliever, cut-throat dog, And spit upon my Jewish gabardine.” - Shylock A1S3:107-109
- “This were kindness.” - Bassanio about Shylock’s offer of friendship. A1S3:139
- “Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions?” - Shylock A3S1:54-56
- “I would my daughter were dead at my foot.” - Shylock A3S1:83-84
PORTIA
Portia plays a very important role in the plot. She is Bassanio’s goal, which is what prompts him to ask Antonio for yet another loan. She also plays an important part as the lawyer in the court case, who is able to save Antonio’s life.
Portia is a very intelligent character. She is very witty and quick thinking. She is bound by her father’s will and intends to honour it even if she doesn't like it.
She acts as though she is quite naive and innocent, but when she becomes Antonio’s lawyer towards the end of the play, we truly see her intelligence. Although she insists that she in incapable of running her estate, her boldness as a lawyer makes us doubt this.
-”I may neither choose whom I would or refuse whom I dislike; so is the will of a living daughter curbed by the will of a dead father.” - Portia A1S2:21-25
-”In Belmont is a lady richly left, And she is fair, and fairer than the world.” -Bassanio A1S1:161-162
- “In terms of choice I am not solely led By nice direction of a maiden’s eyes.” - Portia A2S1:13-14
- “Is an unlessoned girl, unschooled, unpractised.” - Portia A3S2:159
- “I never did repent for doing good, Nor shall I now.” - Portia A3S4:10