: It would certainly explain his mysterious melancholia, and apparent drive for self-martyrdom, if he were in love with Banio, wouldn't it?
Well..I don't think he is gay. Don't forget that the relationship between people at that time was much more intimate than that of a modern society. Antonio's speeches only show that he is a melancholic person who speaks a little bit too poetically. Please don't contaminate the great friendship between Banio and Antonio. It can rarely be found nowadays.