Chapter Antipholus to Antony and Cleopatra of A by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Antonio, “the merchant of Venice,” in Shakespeare’s drama so called (1598). Antonio borrows of Shylock, a Jew, 3000 ducats for three months, to lend to his friend Bassanio. The conditions of the loan were these: if the money was paid within the time, only the principal should be returned; but if not, the Jew should be allowed to cut from any part he chose of Antonio’s body “a pound of flesh.” As the ships were delayed by contrary winds, Antonio was unable to pay within the three months, and Shylock demanded the forfeiture according to the bond. Portia, in the dress of a law-doctor, conducted the case, and when the Jew was about to cut the flesh, stopped him, saying—(I) the bond gave him no drop of blood; and (2) he must take neither more nor less than an exact pound. If he shed one drop of blood, or if he cut more or less than an exact pound, his life would be forfeited. As it was quite impossible to comply with these restrictions, the Jew was nonsuited, and had to pay a heavy fine for seeking the life of a citizen. (See Shylock, for similar tales.)

Antonic, the usurping duke of Milan, brother of Prospero the rightful heir, and father of Miranda.—Shakespeare: The Tempest (1623).

Antonio, father of Proteus and suitor of Julia.—Shakespeare: The Two Gentlemen of Verona (1598).

Antonio, a Swiss lad in Scott’s novel called Anne of Geierstein (time, Edward IV.).

Antonio, a stout old gentleman, kinsman of Petruccio governor of Bologna.—Fletcher: The Chances (1620).

(This comedy was altered first by Buckingham, and then by Garrick.)

Antonio (Don), father of Carlos a bookworm, and of Clodis a coxcomb. A headstrong testy old man, who wants Carlos to sign away his birthright in favour of his younger brother, whom he designed Angelina to marry. Carlos refuses to do so, and elopes with Angelina. Clodis (the younger brother) gives his troth to Elvira of Lisbon.—Cibber: Love makes a Man (1700).

Antonio (Don), in love with Louisa, daughter of don Jerome of Seville. He is a nobleman of ancient family, but without estate.—Sheridan: The Duenna (1778).

Antonomasia (The princess), daughter of Archipiela king of Candaya, and his wife Mag unicia. She married don Clavijo, but the giant Malambruno, by enchantment, changed the bride into a brass monkey, and her spouse into a crocodile of some unknown metal. Don Quixote mounted the wooden horse Clavileno the Winged, to disenchant the lady and her husband, and this he effected “simply by making the attempt.”—Cervantes: Don Quixote, II. iii. 4, 5 (1615).

Antony (Mark), the Roman triumvir, in love with Cleopatra. By this fatal passion he lost his empire, his character as a hero, and his life.—Dryden: All for Love. (See Antony And Cleopatra.)

Antony (Saint) lived in a cavern on the summit of Cavadonga, in Spain, and was perpetually annoyed by devils.

Old St. Antonius from the hell
Of his bewildered phantasy saw fiends
In actual vision, a foul throng grotesque
Of all horrific shapes and forms obscene,
Crowd in broad day before his open eyes.
   —Southey: Roderick, etc., xvi. (1814).

Antony and Cæsar. Macbeth says that “under Banquo his own genius was rebucked [or snubbed], as it is said Mark Antony’s was by Cæsar” (act iii. sc. I), and in Antony and Cleopatra this passage is elucidated thus—

Thy dæmon, that’s thy spirit which keeps thee, is
Noble, courageous, high, unmatchable
Where Cæsar’s is not; but near him thy angel
Becomes a fear, as being o’erpowered.
   —Act ii. sc. 3.