William Shakespeare’s play, "The Merchant of Venice," accurately portrays the theme of love versus self-interest throughout its entirety. We see examples of this conflict as Antonio borrows money from the Jewish moneylender, Shylock so he can give it to Bassanio, his closest friend. Although it is evident that Bassanio indeed loves Antonio as well, a few examples such as Bassanio letting Antonio offer a pound of his own flesh as insurance for the money he borrows, display what Bassanio truly desires, which is the money he needs to impress the woman he loves. It is hard to tell whether Bassanio’s self-interest outweighs his love for Antonio, but it is obvious that he accepted an unnecessary contract that put his most dear friend in danger. Shylock, even more so, had little desire for love. Shylock is not only portrayed as a money-lending usurer, he is also depicted as a stereotypical Jew, whose greed, gluttony, and desires for revenge hold the most value in his life. These attributes are the sole purpose of the major conflict between Antonio and Shylock, and ultimately, between self-interest and disinterested love. The values that each character holds most deeply are portrayed in each of their actions and decisions. Throughout the play, The Merchant of Venice, Antonio’s love becomes very evident. Antonio’s love and compassion for those he cares about is portrayed most significantly as he risks his own life to make his best friend, Bassanio, who he cares very deeply for, contented. It is obvious throughout the play that the relationship between Antonio and Bassanio is significant and it is easy to perceive their relationship as one that has been present for many years. Although their friendship is strong, the relationship, at many times, seems almost one-sided. It is excessively evident that Antonio cares very deeply for Bassanio, for he has made not only his money, but his entire person available to Bassanio whenever he needs it, “I pray you, good Bassanio, let me know it;/And if it stand, as you yourself still do,/Within the eye of honour, be assur'd/My purse, my person, my extremest means,/Lie all unlock'd to your occasions. (1.1.15). Antonio is even willing to risk everything he owns, including his life, so that Bassanio can loan money from Shylock to woo the woman he loves. Bassanio has had a history of debt by which Bassanio has “disabled [his] estate,/ By something showing a more swelling port/ Than [his] faint means would grant continuance' (1.1.14) and still, Antonio is amenable to wager everything he has and everything he is for Bassanio, despite his previous records, which indicates that Antonio’s actions may be of an individual in love, rather than in a simple, equitable friendship. The love he is showing for his friend, even though Bassanio has proven that lending money to him is not a good idea, outweighs any self-interest he has for himself. Antonio is eager to give up all he has for his friend. Based on Antonio’s actions and his belief that he is losing his best friend to a girl, it is easy to notice that he is still trying to prove his worth. At the beginning of the play, Antonio shares that he is melancholy but does not