Antonio

Question 1

Act 1 Scene 1

• His financial situation isn’t healthy.
• Doesn’t put all his money into 1 ship.

Answer 1

“My ventures are not in one bottom trusted nor to 1 place, nor is my whole estate upon the fortune of this present year.”

• Smart with his money.
• Good businessman.
• If he fails, still financially safe.

Question 2

Act 1 Scene 1.

• Accepts his fate in his world.
• His place in this world is a ‘sad one’ but he is accepting of it.

Answer 2

“I hold the world but as the world, Gratiano— a stage where every man must play a part, and mine a sad one”

• Humble, doesn’t dream big.
• Believes everything is pre-determined and shouldn’t worry.
• Not stressed, believes everything happens for a reason.

Question 3

Act 1 Scene 1.

- Close relationship with friends.

Answer 3

“Farewell. I grow a talker for this gear”

• Ready to tell his friends that they talk too much.
• Shows that they have a strong relationship.

Question 4

Act 1 Scene 1.

- Will let Bassanio have all his money and do everything he can to help him.

Answer 4

“My purse, my person, my extremist means lie unlocked on all occasions”

• Generosity
• Trust
• Great self confidence, believing his voyages will be fine.

Question 5

Act 1 Scene 1.

• If Bassanio cannot repay, it may affect B & A relationship.
• Believes it could be worse if he bankrupts him.

Answer 5

“And out of doubt you do me more wrong in making question of my uttermost than if you made waste of all I have”

• Friendship > Money
• Generous

Question 6

Act 1 Scene 1.

• Can’t give the cash he needs as he doesn’t have it.
• Still tells him to charge him on credit, as much credit he gets in Venice.

Answer 6

“Neither have I money nor commodity to raise a present sum. Therefore, go forth, try what my credit can do in Venice”

• “Therefore” shows it is unquestionable if he gives him money. Always a definite even if he has no money.
• Honesty.

Question 7

Act 1 Scene 1.

- Certain that he can get something as a business loan or as a personal favor.

Answer 7

“Where money is, and I no question make to have itof my trust or my sake”

• “No question” suggests that he is confident that he is well known in Venice.

Question 8

Act 1 Scene 3.

- Doesn’t borrow or lend money with interest because of his Christian values.

Answer 8

“Yet to supply the ripe wants of my friend, I’ll break a custom”
(Addressing Shylock)
“Is he yet possessed, how much ye would?”
(Addressing Bassanio)
- Addresses Bassanio > Shylock, suggesting he ranks Shylock lowly.
- Condescending.
- Anti-Semitic.