The Merchant of Venice:Act 1 Sc 1

The Merchant of Venice:Act 1 Sc 1

1. Plot point

   • The bond: This act explores the reason for the bond's existence. Bassanio needs the money but Antonio cannot provide it.

2. Sequence of events

   • Salarino and Salanio try to figutre out the cause of Antonio's sadness.
     • Bassanio arrives with his friends.
       • Bassanio talks to Antonio about his debt and then asks for money.
         • Antonio cannot lend him the money so he tells Bassanio to look for other lenders using his name as collateral.

3. Key quotes

   • "Thou knows't that all my fortunes are at sea;/Neither have I money, nor commodity/To raise a present sum:" - Antonio to Bassanio
   • "In sooth, I know not why I am so sad./It wearies me; you say it wearies you;" - Antonio to Salarino and Salanio

4. Themes

   • Fortune
     • The act shows that Antonio's fortunes are tied to his ships which are at sea. Through this, the act explores the unpredictability of fortune.
   • Love/Friendship/Loyalty
     • This act demonstrates love/friendship/loyalty between Antonio and Bassanio.

5. Characters

   • Antonio
   • Bassanio
   • Salarino, Salanio
   • Gratiano, Lorenzo