Based on the excerpt, it can be deduced that the response of the author was that Shakespeare owned books and he used a humorous tone as he pointed out facts by using humor.
Bill Bryson mocked that author of Shakespeare never owned a book. He stated that even though the author stated that attention wasn't paid to the books that he wrote in his biography, it doesn't mean that he didn't write a book.
Bill Bryson stated further that he was an actor, theoretical producer, and a citizen of Stratford. He stated that he owned books as she was a literate. 
In conclusion, he also supported his arguments as he stated that he was clever and had some standing as a poet and playwright.
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Answer:
Antonio is portrayed as a melancholy character from the outset of the play. In the first scene, Antonio's friends, Salarino and Solanio, insist that Antonio is upset and depressed about his ships. Antonio is a wealthy merchant whose money is invested in his ships.
Explanation: