Hey why does everyone think Shakespeare is implying that Antonio is "'"gay"'"? I mean he could just be showing the love between a father and a son because there is no love that is as strong and pure as the love for your own child/children! And maybe because Antonio has no children of his own and he has grown old caring too much about his merchandise and trade that it was too late to think about a family (maybe he was a greedy young lad and all he cared about was his money and the "'"pleasures"'" of life being single without the worries of a family). And so the only hope of having one is to get close to Bassanio and helping him when need be. Its kinda weird thinking he is gay even though I remember my old English teacher telling us there were rumours that Shakespeare was "'"gay"'". Its funny now that I think about it because if Antonio is gay then I guess its true that Shakespeare was too! Are there any other gays in Shakespear"'"s plays?!?
Anyway I think Antonio might just be showing parental love.
I mean can"'"t a parent give everything up for his child/children?