Merchant Of Venice Questions And Answers

[Louella Kammann]

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This is a really good question, one which still has literary critics puzzledafter four centuries. The identity of the antagonist of William Shakespeare'splay The Merchant of Venice is open to some interpretation, as is theidentity of the merchant mentioned in the title.

The 1600 printed edition of the play (I have linked the title page, below)makes it clear that Shylock is the villain and Antonio is the merchant, butthat is not the title registered in the Stationer's Register (the place whereall plays were registered in order to be published) in 1598. That entry (linkedbelow) lists the title as "The Merchant of Venice, or otherwise knownas the Jew of Venice." The title probably does refer to Antonio, but this is aninteresting discrepancy which makes one wonder if Antonio really was intendedto be the merchant of Venice.

That being said, it is likely that Antonio is, indeed, the merchant to whomthe title refers, and the reason you and others have asked the question, Ithink, is because Antonio is not a particularly admirable character. If theplay is named after him, we rather expect that he is a person we either want toemulate or learn from, and that is not particularly the case withAntonio.

Antonio is seen by some as a Christ figure, compassionate and giving to hisfriend Bassanio, even to the point of sacrificing his life, which is what wouldhave happened if Shylock had exacted his pound of flesh. While that is oneaspect of his character, there is certainly another side, which he displays inall its ugly glory toward Shylock. When Antonio needs Shylock to loanBassanio money, Shylock reminds him of how Antonio has treated him:

Even worse, at the trial Antonio (through Portia, his lawyer) practicallybegs Shylock to show him mercy; Antonio gets it through the judge, but he doesreceive mercy. When Shylock asks for the same from Antonio, no mercy isgiven.

It is difficult to believe, then, that Shakespeare names the play forAntonio because he is such a stellar character after whom we should model ourlives. So we are left with the rather mundane conclusion that the play is namedafter Antonio, a merchant, because he is the common thread between all themajor characters in the play. He is connected to Portia through Bassanio, toShylock, and virtually every other character in the play. In effect, then, itis Antonio the merchant's story, so it is called The Merchant ofVenice.

Steinbach, Lori. "Why is Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice named after Antonio?" edited by eNotes Editorial, 1 Nov. 2013, -of-venice/questions/why-title-play-merchant-venice-named-after-antonio-461960.

The play could be named after any of the major characters or a theme of theplay. It did not have to be named after Antonio, who happens to be the merchantof venice. It could have been named after Shylock, and called The Money-lenderof Vencie, or after Portia, and called The Advocate, or after one of thethemes, and called The Caskets, or The Choice, or any other choice of names, ofwhich there could have been many many.

What are the themes of the mercantile life? What experiences do merchantsencounter, and remember, these are people who start business ventures, or sinka lot of their money into a business venture that someone else is starting.

It is the range and the dynamism of mercantile experiences that capturesShakespeare's imagination. We are all merchants at some point in time. We allgamble everything, and take risks with everything, whenever we make reallyimportant life decisions.

Breitenberg, Noble. "Why is Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice named after Antonio?" edited by eNotes Editorial, 1 Nov. 2013, -of-venice/questions/why-title-play-merchant-venice-named-after-antonio-461960.

It's difficult to say with definite certainty why Shakespeare chose the nameThe Merchant of Venice, but it's possible to guess with reasonableaccuracy. In general, it's reasonable to assume that The Merchant ofVenice is named after Antonio (who is a merchant and is from Venice)because, in many ways, most of the play's plot revolves around him. Consider,for instance, that Portia and Bassanio's courtship relies upon Antonio's help,as the merchant needs to secure a loan to allow Bassanio to pursue the heiressof Belmont. Furthermore, Antonio's inability to repay this loan results in thedramatic conflict with Shylock. In that case, it appears as though most of theplay's action depends upon and revolves around Antonio, and so naming the playafter him makes sense.

It's very interesting, therefore, that the character that audiences usuallyfind most memorable is not Antonio, but Shylock. Indeed, the marginalized,Jewish moneylender's oppressed existence, along with his arguably tragicdownfall, proves to be more engaging, memorable, and sad than anything Antoniodoes in the play. Therefore, it's understandable that the title of the play isconfusing, as it's Shylock, not Antonio, that we remember once the finalcurtain falls.

Howe, Eleanora. "Why is Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice named after Antonio?" edited by eNotes Editorial, 20 July 2016, -of-venice/questions/why-title-play-merchant-venice-named-after-antonio-461960.

The dearest friend to me, the kindest man,

The best-condition'd and unwearied spirit

In doing courtesies, and one in whom

The ancient Roman honour more appears

Than any that draws breath in Italy.

Taking into consideration how poorly he treats Shylock, it is debatablewhether Antonio lives up to that high praise. If the description were true, hewould truly be a character worth naming a play after.

Matteson, Noelle. "Why is Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice named after Antonio?" edited by eNotes Editorial, 8 Sep. 2016, -of-venice/questions/why-title-play-merchant-venice-named-after-antonio-461960.

A recent survey conducted by The Harvard Crimson found that most college students feel that the major presidential candidates are not addressing the most important issues of the day. As a public service, therefore, I have compiled a list of 15 questions and their corresponding answers that observers can use as a guide to voting in the 1980 election.

1. Whatever happened to Joe Pepitone? When a heckler shouted this at President Carter during a rally outside Chicago's Wrigley Field, media expert Jerry Rafshoon ended Carter's speech and rushed him away by taxi. The truth is that Pepitone, a Commoner supporter, lives in San Francisco's Haight-Asbury section as a hairdresser for retired secret service agents.

2. Will the New Jersey Nets win the National Association title? Without the endorsement of Senator Bill Bradley, it appears unlikely. With Bradley's endorsement and that of Rep. Morris Udall (D-Ariz.) a championship is a distinct possibility.

4. Who is Red Sox owner Haywood Sullivan in real life? Some experts in handwriting analysis claim that Sullivan is actually deposed New York Mets general manager M. Donald Grant. Actually, however, he is probably "Shylock" from "Merchant of Venice."

8. Is Muhammad Ali really going to fight John Anderson? Since Anderson has refused to fight unless Marvin Hagler is present as third man, the League of Women Boxers may substitute Tai (one-two) Babilonia or Nancy Reagan.

10. Is Tom Watson the best golfer ever? He may be the best PGA golfer ever, but one time this summer I was playing Putt-Putt miniature golf in New Mexico and was sinking everything. Man, it was great!

12. Which presidential candidate came closest to playing a professional sport? Jimmy "The Engineer" Carter played quarterback on his intramural football team at Annapolis, but showed little poise in the clutch. Ronald "Run and Gun" Reagan's set shot swished through many a net during his childhood in lowa, but lack of vision prevented anything more. John Anderson's athletic career ended early, when he refused to participate in games involving only two teams.

13. Who sang "Build Me Up, Buttercup?" No, not the Fortunes, but the Foundations. While we're at it, "Incense and Peppermints" was Strawberry Alarm Clock, "Little Red Riding Hood" was Sam the Sham and the Pharoahs, and "Judy in Disguise" was John Fred and the Playboy Band. Anderson scores heavily on this question.

15. Are the candidates related to any former athletes? Yes. Ronald Reagan is a distant cousin of former Cubs and Dodgers Pitcher Phil Regan. Jimmy Carter is the step-brother of boxer Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, and John Anderson's twin brother Sparky manages the Detroit Tigers.

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