Antonio is the title character in Shakespeare 's The Merchant of Venice. An influential, powerful and wealthy nobleman of Venice, he is a middle - aged man and a merchant by trade who has his financial interests tied up in overseas shipments when the play begins. He is kind, generous, honest and confident, and is loved and revered by all the Christians who know him. His willingness to die for Bassanio is a manifestation of his character. Antonio manifests his piety by cursing and spitting at Shylock (anti-semitism was common in Europe in Shakespeares days).
antonio's role in the merchant of venice
the title character