Friendship and People.

Numerous discussions have been held about whether or not Antonio is, in fact, gay and in love with Bassanio. Numerous people say that he is not. A few say he is. It is my belief that Antonio and Bassanio are friends who have known each other for years and, as such, have grown close because of it. In the cast list, Bassanio is listed as a friend of Antonio. While this may be because homosexuality was a sin in the eyes of the religious, it may also be that it was because they were just that- friends.
While you and I may not give up a pound of our own flesh to ensure that our best friend has the possibility of wooing a gorgeous, wealthy girl, we are also from a different time. We see things through the eyes of a modern, Western teenager with money. Antonio and Bassanio lived in a time where the norms of their society were different from ours. It seems as if friendship is stronger there than here, but some may argue that that is because the things they are willing to do for their friends are beyond reason. That is why love was considered. People cannot even begin to fathom why someone would do something so seemingly foolish and yet, I can give you an answer. Antonio referred to having have known Bassanio for a very long time time. Perhaps Antonio saw Bassanio as a little brother of sorts, a man who needed nurturing and caring that went beyond the means of a parent and more into the means of a friend.
Yes, Bassanio screwed Antonio over twice or more over with loans but, at the end of the day, Bassanio was still Antonio's friend and seemingly life long acquaintance. Bassanio knew he easily might not to be able to pay Antonio and I do not think he really cared. Bassanio's loyalty to Antonio was significantly lesser than Antonio's to him. Bassanio wanted what he wanted and he did not care who he had to step on to get there. After all, business does not often find itself having morals. For Bassanio, his business was getting the girl. Bassanio would screw over his lifelong friend and allow him to lose a pound of his flesh just so he can have the mere possibility of winning over a girl. A girl, let's remember, that is won by a game of chance not wealth! Bassanio is such an opposite of Antonio that it is no wonder why they get along well. Some say that people who are like minded get along better, but I believe that to be a lie. Antonio and Bassanio are perfect examples. Antonio will always have Bassanio's back until the day Shylock comes to get that pound of flesh and his death most likely becomes a reality. Until then, Bassanio will be the muck he is.
Antonio and Bassanio walk a fine line when it comes to their friendship. Their friendship is unjust yet, aren't all friendships? There is always going to be that friend who goes the extra mile, that friend who brings you chicken soup, a bucket of ice cream, and your favorite movie when you get sick even though you two were in a massive argument the day before. Antonio is that friend despite his many flaws. He cares about Bassanio's well being but, most of all, he cares about his happiness. I don't think you have to be someone's lover to wish for them to be happy. I think you need to be a damn good friend to be willing to face the possibility of death in order to give a close friend a chance at happiness, and Antonio is that incredible friend.