English, asked by RituB, 1 year ago

importance of opening scene in merchant of venice

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Answered by Debungsu
1
act 1 scene 1 is a very important scene as it introduces to the main male characters of the play like salanio,Bassanio,antonio,gratiano, etc
Antonio is presented to us in a very melancholic mood without knowing its reason.Salarino and salanio compete with each other to flatter Antonio.Antonio is proved to be homosexual because of his love towards Bassanio.Bassanio wants money from Antonio to go to Belmont and marry Portia.
The scene also shows the false friendship of Bassanio towards Antonio by he being sentimental towards Antonio.
Answered by ShahidHussain
1
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Homework Help > The Merchant of Venice

What is the importance of the opening scene of The  Merchant of Venice by Shakespeare?

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Asked on October 21, 2015 at 1:02 AM by enotes

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appletrees | College Teacher | (Level 2) Educator

Posted on May 14, 2016 at 11:55 PM

This scene establishes Antonio's friendship with Bassanio, and makes it clear that the two of them are devoted to one another; we see that the other friends surrounding Antonio are not as important to him as Bassanio is. The dialogue between them hints at deep devotion. When Bassanio describes his anxiety over his debts, Antonio offers to help him in any way he can. Bassanio also tells Antonio that he wants to woo Portia, and become one of the potential suitors who might win her hand in marriage. The two are very close friends, and there is a realization on Antonio's part that Bassanio's marriage will cause a shift in their friendship. This may be jealousy at work, if one entertains an interpretation of Antonio's devotion as being based in a latent homosexual attraction to Bassanio.

This scene also introduces the character of Portia (although she does not appear in it), and does so by making her seem mysterious and also worthy of admiration. Bassanio is smitten with her even having never met her, just by hearing stories of her beauty. But there is also a suggestion that Bassanio is interested in her partly because she has a fortune. Since money, wealth and debt are such strong themes throughout the play (it is a debt, bored on Bassanio's behalf, that puts Antonio in danger of being murdered by Shylock), the establishment of Bassanio's desire for wealth and an end to his debts is significant here.




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RituB: please give some views about foundation of bond story and casket story
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