Merchant of Venice Essay: The Depression of Antonio -- Merchant Venice

The Depression of Antonio in Merchant of Venice In the Merchant of Venice, we plan a truly anti-Semitic play by Shakespeare. However, we also see a tale of money (greed and generosity), bop (heterosexual and homosexual), and emotion (joy and sadness). The play revolves around Bassanios love for Portia. Bassanio needs money to play the suitor to Portia in style. His friend who loves him, Antonio, agrees to give him the money, but, because all of his money is invested in his merchant ships he must perplex a loan from the greedy Jew usurer. Shylock loans him the money in exchange for a pound of his flesh if he does not pay the loan corroborate on time. Bassanio wins Portias hand, but, before they are joined together, Portia will disguise herself in order to win the freedom of Antonio when his ships meet with ruin and he cannot repay Shylock. Shylock ends up losing half his wealth and must convert before Portia is through with him. Antonio is a fascinating character study when it comes to psychology because he is such a sad but noble character. He is world-weary and lifes material things do not bring him joy. He is also confused about his sadness. As he says in the opening speech of the play, In sooth, I have it off not why I an so sad/It wearies me you say it wearies you/But how I caught it, bring it, or came by it,/What stuff tis made of, whitherof it is born, I am to learn/And such a want-wit sadness makes of me/That I have much ado to know myself (Shakespeare 203). Antonio explains he has scattered his investment risks quite adequately, so it is not his merchandize that makes him sad. Yet, he does admit that he feels it is his nature to be sad, as if he has a chemic imbalance that classifies him as cl... ...nificance with those of the Jewish faith who might befriend him, and it gives him a cynical, negative perspective of the culture around him. However, at the end of the play Antonio does see to find some small measure of happiness when he comes t o understand how much Portia has done on his behalf. This shows him that his perceptions of her understanding may have been limited because he more than likely did not expect his strongest ally to be the wife of the man he loves, Sweet lady, you have given me life and living/For here I read for certain that my ships/Are safely come to road (Shakespeare 228). Thus, Antonio could be recommended for therapy because his depression has the potential to be ameliorated with a deeper understanding and acceptance of his thinking regarding life. Works CitedShakespeare, W. The Complete Works. Random House, NY 1975.