Merchant of Venice Forum

I've read some commentary that suggests that Antonio is homosexual.  He is in love with Bassanio; this explains his melancholy at the beginning of the play, his willingness to lend him so much money and to give his life to save Bassanio's. 

Any reactions?

If you read the text, Bassanio is melancholy at the beginning of the play for reasons that concern his business;  those reasons affect his cash flow, and
make it necessary for him to borrow, before he can lend.  He is devoted to
Bassanio:  that much is clear.  If clearly gay, I don't think he would encourage
Bassanio in plain terms to win "the fair Portia" as he does before Bassanio sets out to do that.

Actually, Salerio and Salanio are the ones who babble about Antonio's business.  Perhaps Gratiano does too.  But Antonio assures them that his fortunes are in many areas so he is not overly worried about any one venture.  He opens the play with "In sooth I know not why I am so sad."  Of course he knows (if indeed he is in love with Bassanio), but he cannot tell this to his friends.  His best solution is to help Bassanio win Portia so that Bassanio can be happy.  This all makes sense, but I prefer to think of Antonio as a great friend and not a would-be boyfriend.

In truth, Antonio is incapable of discussing where his sadness stems from. He deeply loves Bassanio, perhaps more than platonic love, and shows this love by self-sacrificing his own happiness in order to see Bassanio happy. (Therefore, taking the bond....) Salerino and Solanio seem to know about Antonio's love for Bassanio when Antonio and Bassanio's final goodbye takes place prior to Bassanio's departure for Belmont.

One problem with reading older works is that up until the modern era, male friends frequently referred to their feelings for other men in terms of love and affection. This in no way implies that they were gay! Only a modern reader would make that interpretation. A great example of this can be seen in many of the letters written by Abraham Lincoln to male colleagues with whom he was close. This merely was how men expressed themselves in daily conversation and in letters to one another - it did not intimate anything sexual. The same is likely true with respect to Bassanio.

I agree with the last comment made by John. Yes it is true, Antonio does love Bassanio, but not in a gay sort of way. He loves him as a brother, and that being such, he wants him to be happy. So he cosigns with him for the loan...