merchant of Venice all scene explanation
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Explanation:
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THE MERCHANT OF VENICE
SUMMARY
by: William Shakespeare
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Act I, scenes i–ii
SUMMARY ACT I, SCENES I–II
Page 1
Page 2
Summary: Act I, scene i
Antonio, a Venetian merchant, complains to his friends, Salarino and Solanio, that a sadness has overtaken him and dulled his faculties, although he is at a loss to explain why. Salarino and Solanio suggest that his sadness must be due to his commercial investments, for Antonio has dispatched several trade ships to various ports. Salarino says it is impossible for Antonio not to feel sad at the thought of the perilous ocean sinking his entire investment, but Antonio assures his friends that his business ventures do not depend on the safe passage of any one ship. Solanio then declares that Antonio must be in love, but Antonio dismisses the suggestion.
The three men encounter Bassanio, Antonio’s kinsman, walking with two friends named Lorenzo and Gratiano. Salarino and Solanio bid Antonio farewell and depart. When Gratiano notices Antonio’s unhappiness and suggests that the merchant worries too much about business, Antonio responds that he is but a player on a stage, destined to play a sad part. Gratiano warns Antonio against becoming the type of man who affects a solemn demeanor in order to gain a wise reputation, then he takes his leave with Lorenzo. Bassanio jokes that Gratiano has terribly little to say, claiming that his friend’s wise remarks prove as elusive as “two grains of wheat hid in two bushels of chaff” (I.i.115–116). Antonio asks Bassanio to tell him about the clandestine love that Bassanio is harboring. In reply, Bassanio admits that although he already owes Antonio a substantial sum of money from his earlier, more extravagant days, he has fallen in love with Portia, a rich heiress from Belmont, and hopes to win her heart by holding his own with her other wealthy and powerful suitors. In order to woo Portia, however, Bassanio says he needs to borrow more money from Antonio. Antonio replies that he cannot give Bassanio another loan, as all his money is tied up in his present business ventures, but offers to guarantee any loan Bassanio can round up.
THE MERCHANT OF VENICE Act 2 Scene 7
Explanation:
MODERN TEXT
Flourish cornets Enter PORTIA with the Prince of MOROCCO, and both their trains
Trumpets play. PORTIA enters with the prince of MOROCCO and both their entourages.
PORTIA
(to servant) Go draw aside the curtains and discover
The several caskets to this noble prince.—
PORTIA
(to servant) Go open the curtains and show the different boxes to the prince.
A curtain is drawn showing a gold, silver, and lead casket
A curtain is drawn revealing showing three caskets: one gold, one silver, and one lead.
(to MOROCCO) Now make your choice.
(to MOROCCO) Now make your choice.
MOROCCO
5The first, of gold, who this inscription bears:
“Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire.”
The second, silver, which this promise carries:
“Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves.”
This third, dull lead, with warning all as blunt:
10“Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath.”
How shall I know if I do choose the right?
MOROCCO
The first one, the gold one, has an inscription that says, “He who chooses me will get what many men want.” The second one, the silver one, says, “He who chooses me will get what he deserves.” And this third one is made of dull lead. It has a blunt warning that says, “He who chooses me must give and risk all he has.” How will I know if I chose the right one?
PORTIA
The one of them contains my picture, Prince.
If you choose that, then I am yours withal.
PORTIA
One of them contains my picture. If you choose that one, I’m yours, along with the picture.
MOROCCO
Some god direct my judgment! Let me see.
15I will survey th' inscriptions back again.
What says this leaden casket?
“Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath.”
Must give—for what? For lead? Hazard for lead?
This casket threatens. Men that hazard all
20Do it in hope of fair advantages.
A golden mind stoops not to shows of dross.
I’ll then nor give nor hazard aught for lead.
What says the silver with her virgin hue?
MOROCCO
I wish some god could help me choose! Let me see. I’ll look over the inscriptions again. What does the lead box say? “He who chooses me must give and risk all he has.” Must give everything—for what? For lead? Risk everything for lead? This box is too threatening. Men who risk everything hope to make profits. A golden mind doesn’t bend down to choose something worthless. So I won’t give or risk anything for lead. What does the silver one say?