Salarino: A kinder gentlemen treads not the earth.
I saw Bassanio and Antonio part.
Bassanio told him he would make some speed
Of his return. He Answer’d, “Do not so;
Slubber not business for my sake, Bassanio,
But stay the very riping of the time;
And for the Jew’s bond which he hath of me,
Let it not enter in your mind of love.
Be merry, and employ your cheifest thoughts
To courtship and such fair ostents of love
As shall conveniently become you there.”
And even there, his eye being big with tears,
Turning his face, he put his hand behind him,
And with affection wondrous sensible
He wrung Bassanio’s hand; and so they parted.
Reading this passage, my mood changes to sad. My opinion on it, is that Antonio really loves Bassanio, and that they are best friends. Since Antonio had tears in his eyes, I feel like he has a deep feeling of affection towards Bassanio and will miss him very much.