Antonio is one of the main characters in The Merchant of Venice, a play by William Shakespeare. Antonio and his friend Bassanio ask for a loan so that Bassanio can impress Portia, the woman he loves.

Antonio tells Bassanio to not be sad because he feels lucky. He said only be sad he is losing a friend, not that he helped pay Bassanio's debt. Shylock, a money-lender, lends Antonio a loan, even ...