Antonio Is Not Gay
...Merchant of Venice. Antonio has little to offer as an individual. He only exists as the center of the plot. Antonio serves as a device to introduce more important characters such as Bassanio, Portia, and Shylock. Interestingly enough, Shylock, whose purpose in the play is to be nothing more than a villain Jew, is deeply explored as a character throughout the play. Shakespeare's analysis of the Jew and sympathy for the villain is contrary to the beliefs of his audience, who would much rather view character as one-dimensional. While the circumstances that surround Antonio are intriguing, his personality is simply dull. Even his opening lines display his monotony. However, his overreaction to love not being the cause of his sadness suggests that it the case and many critics are quick to claim that Antonio is hurt by his secret desire of his friend Bassanio. There is no evidence in the script of a love more than that of deep friendship, although it is more prevalent in Antonio than Bassanio. Due to his hurt from or lack of love and old age, Antonio is attempting to right the shortcomings and sorrow of his life through Bassanio and thus is willing to give up everything.
Antonio was hurt one time or another by love or lack there of. When Solanio suggests, "Why, then you are in love," Antonio replies, "Fie, fie!" (Shakespeare 2). This awkward reaction suggests that Antonio is trying to conceal his loneliness and lack of love from a woman. In Shakespeare's time, melancholy was known as a symptom of lovesickness (The Merchant of Venice). The audience would infer from the opening lines of the play that Antonio was in desperation of love. Since there is no woman mentioned in the text, the easy target of his sorrow is Bassanio. However, Antonio's character is considered to be a good Christian and thus would not be a homosexual. Even if Antonio was in love with Bassanio,...
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