More Than Friends? Antonio and Bassanio in the "Merchant of Venice"

There are many forms of love between people. Shakespeare's play, Merchant of Venice, hosts two male protagonists, Antonio and his close friend Bassanio, in which their love for each other roots deeper than friendship. Antonio signs a bond to benefit Bassanio and because of this, Antonio places his life on the line. It is apparent that Antonio and Bassanio have a romantic interest in one another as highlighted by the words and actions of both Antonio and Bassanio.

Antonio takes various positions which reveal his commitment to Bassanio. At the start of the play, Antonio claims that "[his] purse, [his] person, [his] extremest means / lie all unlocked to [Bassanio's] occasion" (1.1.145-146). Antonio is willing to give everything he is and owns for Bassanio's sake, and such sacrifice is to be taken as a confession from Antonio displaying how much he loves Bassanio. When Antonio signs a bond which, if he does not repay the money borrowed, requires him to relinquish an "equal pound / of [his] fair flesh" to a money lender, Antonio is only thinking of whom this deal benefits, namely, his dear Bassanio (1.3.161-162). Antonio acts recklessly with his own safety and does not even consider the risk involved as long as Bassanio is happy in the end. Lastly, just before Antonio expects to die he asks Bassanio to tell Portia "how
Bassanio also reveals his love for Antonio through his words and actions. During Antonio's trial, Bassanio makes an offer of twice the money in question solely to save Antonio, and "if that will not suffice, / [he] will be bound to pay it ten times [over]" (4.1.217-218). Bassanio is willing to pay more than what is fair, in order to save his dear Antonio. Later on in the trial Bassanio exclaims that "life itself, [his] wife, and all the world / are not above ...

Both Antonio and Bassanio indicate many signs that they have deep love for each other. It is clear that there is love between these two as one friend loves another, but based on every sacrifice each is willing to make for the other, there is evidence that their relationship extends beyond ordinary friendship. The value Antonio places on Bassanio and Bassanio places on Antonio make their romantic love for each other apparent. In total, Antonio and Bassanio love one another on a variety of levels.