On the surface, Antonio appears to be a giving man looking to help a friend in need. He has granted loans to his best friend, Bassanio in the past but as a merchant, his own finances are not always stable. Despite the fact that Antonio's wealth is never guaranteed due to the risky nature of trade, he does not fail to assist Bassanio when he is in need of yet another loan. At the time Bassanio comes seeking Antonio's help, Antonio is in the middle of a nerve-racking business venture. His ships are out at sea in various parts of the world and it is not guaranteed that they will return. When Bassanio informs his best friend of his predicament, Antonio responds, "My purse, my person, my extremest means / Lie all unlocked to your occasion" (1.1.138-139), basically telling his friend that he will do anything to help. Antonio has his own financial stress to worry about, but he is willing to help his friend because he is a kind and caring person.
Bissanio needs the loan to go to Belmont to win Portia's hand it marriage. He plans to pay off his debts with her money after they are married. Antonio does not have the funds to lend Bassanio for his trip, but he encourages his friend to take out loans in his name in order to get the money Bassanio needs. The search for a loan causes Antonio to make a deadly deal with his enemy, Skylock. The two men agree that if Antonio does not repay the loan in three months, Skylock would receive one pound of the merchant's flesh, which would almost definitely lead to his death. It is understandable that Antonio would want to help his best friend but it is not rational that he risk his life in the process.
A possible explanation to Antonio's irrational actions is that he has homosexual feelings towards Bassanio. It is clear that the two men are best friends, but there are indicators throughout the play that suggest that Antonio could feel more than friendship for Bassanio. When Antonio is discussing his unexplained sadness with Salarino and Solanio, he gives a lengthy explanation about why his ships are not causing his depression. When love is the suggested cause, Antonio simply rejects his friend's statement with "Fie, fie!" (1.1.46). Antonio's dismissive attitude towards the subject of love suggests that it is actually the cause of his sadness. Throughout the play, more and more of Antonio's friends fall in love and get married to young, beautiful women. The only occasions where love corresponds with Antonio is when Bassanio is involved. When Salarino and Solanio are discussing the risk Antonio takes for Bassanio, Solanio says that he thinks "[Antonio] only loves the world for [Bassanio]" (2.8.50). Antonio enjoys his life solely because of Bassanio, which explains why he risks his life to help him. When word gets out that all of Antonio's ships have sunk, it appears that Skylock is going to kill the merchant. Rather than being upset about losing his life, Antonio seems accepting of his predicament. The only request Antonio has before he dies is that Bassanio comes to see him. In his letter to Bassanio Antonio says, "All debts are cleared between you and I if I might but see you at my death" (3.2.317-318). Rather than being angry with Bassanio for getting him into the financial deal with Skylock, Antonio simply wants to see his best friend one last time. Antonio's reaction to his own death sentence epitomizes the unconditional love he has for Bassanio.
