The relationship between Antonio and Shylock is contentious; Antonio is heroic , but Shylock is villainous. Certainly, they are rivals in their moneylending: Antonio is kind and generous while Shylock is selfish in all aspects of his life.
In what ways are Antonio and Shylock different and similar?
Both the characters are merchants who lend money to the one who needs it but in a different way altogether. Antonio lends money not for gaining huge profits rather help whereas Shylock is a cunning Jew who lends money and extracts a huge amount of interests from it.
How are Antonio and Shylock similar?
Antonio and Shylock are connected not only through their mutual hatred and their interests as `traders’, but are also tied together in a web of debt . As both men are debtors, so both are loaners of money. As we have’ seen, it is largely upon the issue of the lending of money that their hatred rests.
How are Shylock and Antonio connected?
Short answer: The relationship between the Venetian moneylender Antonio and the Jewish usurer Shylock is one of animosity and mistrust . ... Antonio is a typical Venetian moneylender who has disdain for the Jew Shylock because of his usury; that is, because he charges exorbitant rates of interest on the money that he lends.
Does Shylock like Antonio?
Shylock hates Antonio because Antonio has the privilege of being a wealthy Venetian who charges no interest on his loans, and he also hates Antonio for being a Christian. Additionally, Shylock hates Antonio for the outspoken disdain that Antonio displays towards him.
How does Antonio treat Shylock?
As he calculates the interest on Bassanio’s loan , Shylock remembers the many times that Antonio has cursed him, calling him a “misbeliever, cut-throat, dog / And spit upon [his] Jewish gaberdine” (I. iii.
Who is Shylock Antonio?
Shylock is a Jew who lends money to his Christian rival Antonio , setting the security at a pound of Antonio’s flesh. When a bankrupt Antonio defaults on the loan, Shylock demands the pound of flesh.
What is the conflict between Antonio and Shylock?
Antonio wants to borrow money from Shylock, who is employed as a moneylender . While he needs Shylock, Antonio also curses him. In addition, Shylock is Jewish, and Antonio is Christian, and anti-semitism on Antonio’s part is a reason behind the feud between them.
What type of character is Antonio?
Antonio – A Kind-hearted and Accommodating Man
Antonio is a kind-hearted man who lends money to needy people without charging any interest from them. In this respect he offers a striking contrast to Shylock who is a usurer.
Which side is fair Shylock Antonio?
Antonio is fairer as unlike Shylock he don’t lend money to people so as to extract huge amounts from them or to take revenge from them. Antonio and Shylock are the two characters in William Shakespeare’s play “Merchant of Venice.” Antonio and Shylock are the very known person in the city of Venice.
Does Antonio forgive Shylock?
Antonio, remarkably forgiving , intervenes on the side of mercy, which has been a major theme of the trial scene. He petitions the Duke to allow Shylock the use of half his fortune for his life on two conditions: that he leave it to his son-in-law and daughter on his death and that he convert to Christianity.
Is Shylock a villain or a victim?
At the end of The Merchant of Venice, Shylock has been both a victim and a villain . He is a victim of his religion, and a victim of his greed and overwhelming need for revenge.
Why does Antonio not like Shylock?
While Antonio’s hatred of Shylock is based solely on religious intolerance , Shylock’s hatred of Antonio goes beyond just their differing religious beliefs. One of Antonio’s main problems with Shylock is that, as a Jew, Shylock charges interest on his loans, something that Antonio, as a Christian, believes is wrong.
Does Shylock convert to Christianity?
Portia orders Shylock to beg for the duke’s mercy. ... Antonio offers to return his share of Shylock’s estate, on the condition that Shylock convert to Christianity and bequeath all his goods to Jessica and Lorenzo upon his death. Shylock consents and departs, saying simply, “I am not well” (IV.
Is Antonio a wealthy merchant?
Antonio certainly gives the appearance of being a wealthy man. He’s a successful merchant with a large fleet of ships engaging in profitable trade throughout the world. He clearly has money to spare, as he often helps people out financially when they’ve fallen on hard times.
Why could Antonio not help Bassanio financially?
Antonio is more than willing to lend Bassanio the money but cannot give him cash because his money is tied up in his ships’ cargo , which is out at sea.
