Question

How does the Act - 1 of 'The Merchant of Venice' serve as the exposition scene of the play?

Answer 1

This Act is a near perfect introduction to the play. We are introduced to the main players, their various predicaments, and their various characters. Antonio is clearly the hero, Brassanio is clearly a risk taking ‘Jason’, of Jason and the Golden Fleece fame, to which there are several references throughout the play, and Shylock is clearly the villain.