# Antonio — The Merchant of Venice character guide

> Antonio in The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Signior Antonio, the merchant

**First appearance:** 0002-act-i-scene-i

## Snapshot

A melancholy Venetian merchant who stakes his flesh to fund his friend's courtship, unable to name the sadness that weighs on him.

## Who they are

Antonio's argosies sail to Tripolis, Mexico, and England, but he insists his fortune is not the source of his unexplained grief. He lends Bassanio money he does not have, signing Shylock's bond without hesitation—an act of devotion that exposes how much he gives and how little he asks. His ships, his bond, and his strange sorrow converge to make him the play's most vulnerable figure.

## Relationships

### [Shylock](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/characters/shylock)

_rivalry_

Antonio and Shylock are bitter enemies, with Antonio's anti-Semitism and Shylock's desire for revenge culminating in the bond of a pound of flesh.

### [Nerissa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/characters/nerissa)

_social_

Antonio and Nerissa are acquaintances through Portia's circle, with limited direct interaction beyond the courtroom scene.

### [Portia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/characters/portia)

_friendship_

Antonio and Portia are allies and friends, with Portia saving Antonio's life in court through her clever disguise as Balthazar.

### [Salarino](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/characters/salarino)

_friendship_

Salarino is a close friend of Antonio, often seen with him in Venice and concerned for his welfare.

### [Gratiano](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/characters/gratiano)

_friendship_

Gratiano is a friend of Antonio, though his loud and jocular nature contrasts with Antonio's melancholy.

### [Bassanio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/characters/bassanio)

_romantic_

Antonio's deep emotional devotion to Bassanio borders on romantic, as he risks his life and fortune for Bassanio's happiness.

### [Lorenzo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/characters/lorenzo)

_friendship_

Antonio and Lorenzo are friends, with Lorenzo being part of Antonio's social circle in Venice.

### [Salerio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/characters/salerio)

_friendship_

Salerio is a friend of Antonio, often accompanying him and discussing his merchant ventures.

### [Salanio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/characters/salanio)

_friendship_

Salanio is a friend of Antonio, part of his circle of merchant companions in Venice.

### [Gratiano](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/characters/gratiano)

_friendship_

Gratiano is a friend of Antonio, though his loud and jocular nature contrasts with Antonio's melancholy.

### [Shylock](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/characters/shylock)

_rivalry_

Antonio and Shylock are bitter enemies, with Antonio's anti-Semitism and Shylock's desire for revenge culminating in the bond of a pound of flesh.

## In the story

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/chapters/act-i-scene-i)

Opens the scene expressing unexplained sadness; later agrees to help Bassanio by using his credit.

### [Scene III: The Bond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/chapters/act-i-scene-iii)

Confidently signs the bond, dismissing Bassanio's fears and trusting in his ships' timely return.

### [Scene VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-vi)

Arrives to inform Gratiano that the masque is cancelled and Bassanio is about to sail.

### [Scene VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-viii)

Is remembered in his tender farewell to Bassanio; his ships may be in danger, and he is at risk from Shylock's bond.

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-iii)

Accepts his fate, explaining Shylock's hatred stems from Antonio's past interference with usury, and hopes Bassanio will see him pay the debt.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-i)

The merchant on trial, resigned to his fate, he bids farewell to Bassanio and prepares for Shylock's knife.

### [Act V, Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/chapters/act-v-scene-i)

Receives news that his ships have safely returned; acts as surety for Bassanio's faithfulness.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/characters/antonio
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/characters