"Therefore I do beseech you / Make no moe offers, use no farther means, / But with all brief and plain conveniency / Let me have judgement, and the Jew his will" (Shakespeare IV.i.80-83).
During his trial, Antonio is impatient and no longer willing to argue with Shylock because Antonio feels as though he will not win the trial, and he has nothing left to live for. Antonio has no desire to win the trial because if he does, he will have no economic means to sustain his lifestyle, and Bassanio and Antonio will not be as involved as they were in the past. Antonio lost all of his wealth in the unsuccessful investments in his ships, and he has lost Bassanio as well. Now that Bassanio is married to Portia, Antonio and Bassanio's relationship has changed. Antonio assumes that Bassanio's marriage will restrict Bassanio's ability to reciprocate his love. Antonio is willing to accept his punishment because he's heroically dying for Bassanio's sake, and his death will relieve him from a life of debt and loneliness.
Katie--An interesting take on Antonio's resignation in the face of death. I'm not sure that Antonio would "have no economic means to sustain his lifestyle"--in the short-term, yes; in the long-term...I'd expect him to be able to recover. But, that said, you do a very nice job overall of reading Antonio's acceptance of the bond!
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