We all have friends who help us out whenever we need them. They help you with homework and help you with personal problems. No matter what they'll always be there by your side. In the book, “The Merchant of Venice,” two guys named Antonio and Bassanio, are friends and try to help each other out with their problems. Antonio is the merchant, and Bassanio is his friend. Antonio is stuck with a money crisis while Bassanio is trying to get Portia, a princess that's forced to choose from guys that are of high class. Bassanio isn't all that rich, but he tries to impress her by asking for money from Antonio.
There's that one song that sings "I'd catch a grenade for you, throw my head on a blade for you, I'd jump in front of a train for you, you know I'd do anything for you," meaning that they would do anything for you to stay. this could also be applied to friends, showing how much you care for them. "The Jew shall have my flesh, blood, bones, and all before you shall lose one drop of blood for me." (4.1, 111-113) In this case, Bassanio is trying to tell Antonio that he would rather be the one getting the pound of flesh cut out of him, instead of Antonio. Shylock is the character that hates Antonio, since Antonio was a Christian, who thought of him as a low-status/poor person. "How like a fawning innkeeper he looks! I hate him because he is a Christian." (1.3, 36-37) Antonio’s initial thought of Shylock before was that he was harmful, and he could do something that would put him in danger. This was because of Shylock’s religion. Their religions fought, therefore they didn’t like each other. Now that Antonio comes back, Shylock is trying to get revenge on Antonio for what he did in the past.
It's really helpful to know your facts so that you can fight back. They can come in really handy when you need them. “It isn’t spelled out, but what of that? You’d do that much out of charity./I can’t find it. It isn’t in the bond.” (4.1, 257-259) Shylock is now trying to find an excuse to cut the pound of flesh off of Antonio’s body, while Portia tries to bribe him by tripling the amount of ducats. Shylock refused the pay and went on, but was forced to not cut out the pound of flesh, after Portia tells him that he has to cut Antonio without a single drop of blood to fall. She uses her knowledge to fight back at him, saying that if blood is spilled, all of his lands and goods will be taken away according to their law. "This bond does not give you one drop of blood... Take your pound of flesh. But if, in cutting it, you shed one drop of Christian blood, your lands and goods, under the laws of Venice, will be confiscated to the state of Venice." (4.1, 303-309) He tries to back away from the deal, but Portia tells him that it was either get the pound of flesh or nothing. He then just backs away, only charged with a fine, leaving Antonio unharmed. Sometimes, we think that certain information won't be necessary, like the things we learn in school. But if someone does ask you about it, then you would know what to answer with.
In conclusion, you can't hold a grudge on someone because of something they did in the past, because it's just gonna get you right back. Even if you hate the person, you gotta have some self control and be the bigger person. Antonio initially thought of Shylock as a bad Jew, who was a beggar and could put him into danger, while Shylock still thought of him as a bad person because of what he's done to him before. Your friends will have your back when you need them. If they aren't, know that they'll be with you spiritually and mentally. That's what friends are for.
