Write a note on Antonio's melancholy.

Write a note on Antonio’s melancholy.

“Although Antonio’s character is clearly indicated, his part is subdued and kept in low key.” Can you explain why?

“Antonio is the pygmy of a Shakespearean hero.” Discuss this remark with reference to the character of Antonio.

Ans.

The play, The Merchant of Venice’, is named after Antonio, the young, kind, gentle and generous merchant in whom the proverbial Roman honour are seen at their best. He is philanthropic and so loved universally (except, of course, by Shylock). He cannot bear to see people in trouble. He lends money to those who are in trouble but does not charge any interest on it. People speak very highly of Antonio and give him their respect. They admire him.

Antonio does not like Shylock. Shylock is a Jew and his religion is Judaism. So there is religious intolerance in him. Antonio does not approve of Shylock’s practice of lending money at a very high rate of interest. So he insults Shylock publicly. He abuses him, and spits on his Jewish dress.

Antonio contributes to the prevalent belief of his times that the Judaists are eternally lost and if they are converted to Christianity, even though by force, it is an act of mercy to redeem their souls from the perdition of hell. It is on this account that Antonio is so intolerant.

Thus Antonio is a plain and simple man. He is not diplomatic and does not possess foresight. He is true and gentle friend. He takes the extreme risk of his life for his dearest friend Bassanio. He is so confident that he does not take into consideration that a mishap (which ultimately did happen) may lend him in serous trouble. He is also unable to see through Shylock’s feigned friendliness. Thus he lacks both worldly wisdom and insight into human nature.

But Antonio is very passive. He lacks drive and initiative. He does not inform Bassanio of his trouble till it is too late. But for Portia he is as good as dead. Even when he is in the trap of Shylock he resigns himself to his fate without contesting Shylock’s suit. He simply wishes the suit may be disposed of as early as possible.

From the very beginning he has taken for granted that his role on the stage of this world is a sad one. He is melancholy by nature and this has made him passive. Dramatically also an assertive and dynamic Antonio would not fit into the scheme of things. Even though he lacks in foresight, worldly wisdom, insight into human character and drive, he is the pivot of the play. He sets the Bond Story and the Caskets story in motion and resolves the crisis in the Ring Story.

He is the figure round whom the battle of the Bond Story is fought between Shylock on one side and the rest on the other. It is his generosity which enables Bassanio to go to Belmont and win Portia. Without him the play would have been impossible. The trial of self-effacement is very prominent and pronounced in Antonio.

Antonio is himself aware of his melancholy nature but instead of trying toward it off, he clings to it himself. He does not encourage anybody who tries to cheer him up, On the contrary he tries to explain it on the fate theory saying it is his fate to be sad. He is passive and resigned to his fate. His melancholy is the root cause of his inactivity.

Taking an overall view of Antonio’s character, we infer that Antonio is not the hero of the play but he is certainly the central figure. He is a mere pygmy before stalwarts like Portia and shylock. His part is subdued and kept in low key purposely, but he is lovable and his spirit of sacrifice admirable.