The merchant of venice by xavier pinto act 1 expalanation
Answers
in Act 1
Shakespeare represented Antonio the Merchant of venice in a melancholy mood.His two friends Salarino and Salanio tried to guess many reasons behind his sadness such as his ships were sailing in the sea,he was in love,he was thinking about the dangers his ships may face etc but none of the single reasons were true.Then his bestfriend Bassanio entered and Salarino and Salanio went out. Antonio asked Bassanio the secret which he promised to prevail that day. Bassanio said that he was in love with a rich heiress of Belmont, her name is Portia he referred her as catios daughter and brutus wife.He said Antonio that he needs money in order to go to Belmont and marry Portia but Antonio's ships were sailing in sea he was out of money. Bassanio have already taken a loan from him before but he have not cleared his debts. He said Antonio that when he was in school if he missed the first shot then he sent another to find the first and come back. He said Antonio that he need the money very urgently so that he could go to Belmont and marry Portia and he will gain all the wealth Portia had and pay his debts. Antonio said that he was cashless but he can go to any moneylenders in venice and take a loan and Antonio would act as a guarantee. The scene ends here