In my opinion, the character of Antonio had the most tragic ending in The Merchant of Venice. Although he is not the central character of the play, his fate is closely tied to the play’s themes of justice, mercy, and prejudice.

Antonio is a wealthy merchant who borrows money from Shylock to help his friend Bassanio woo the wealthy Portia. When Antonio is unable to repay the loan, Shylock demands a pound of his flesh as payment. Despite Portia’s clever legal maneuvering, Shylock is granted the right to take his pound of flesh, and Antonio is saved only by the last-minute intervention of the Duke.

Antonio’s tragic ending comes not from his brush with death, but from the loss of his wealth and status. In the final scene of the play, he is left alone on stage, stripped of his power and influence. This ending highlights the play’s themes of justice and mercy, as well as the dangers of prejudice and intolerance.

Overall, Antonio’s tragic ending serves as a reminder that justice and mercy are not always easy to reconcile, and that the consequences of prejudice and intolerance can be devastating.