Explanation of Merchant of Venice Act 1
Answers
Antonio (a Venetian merchant) is hanging out with his friends Salerio and Solanio on a street in Venice. Antonio is a sad bunny, though he claims he doesn't know why.Instead of trying to cheer him up, his friends Solanio and Salerio volunteer reasons why he might be depressed.
Antonio insists that his merchandise at sea is not the cause of his sadness. He's diversified his assets, so no single venture can make or break his fortunes. Even if some ships fail, others are bound to make it.
Solanio isn't satisfied and suggests that Antonio might be in love. This sounds exciting, and of course we'd like to hear more, but Solanio's gossipy gab is cut off by the entrance of yet more friends: Lorenzo, Graziano, and Bassanio, the latter of whom we learn is Antonio's BFF.
Graziano has noticed that Antonio looks sad.
After making this long-winded point about short-winded people, Graziano exits with Lorenzo, leaving Bassanio and Antonio to talk. Antonio asks about Bassanio's "secret pilgrimage" to see a lady.Finally Antonio cuts him off and says he doesn't need to justify himself: Bassanio should know that Antonio will do anything for him.Bassanio has discovered a woman named Portia who has come into a big inheritance in Belmont. She's good-looking, but more importantly, she's rich. Lots of men have been trying win her hand, and Bassanio is certain if he could only appear to be as rich or worthy as these other men, he could convince her to marry him. This would solve his debt problems nicely.
Antonio supports this scheme, but unfortunately all of his money is tied up in his sea ventures. Still, he tells Bassanio to try his hand at raising some money around Venice on credit, using his (Antonio's) good name. Antonio adds that he, too, will work on raising some cash. Basically, even if it means stretching his credit to the limit, he's willing to do whatever he can to get Bassanio all set up to woo Portia in Belmont.