Question

What is the significance of Act 1 scene 1 of merchant of Venice??

Answer 1

1. It introduces major characters and gives a foretaste of the kind of action that would follow. 2. Antonio's melancholy is ominous and sets the tone of the play. 3. The bond story and the casket story are linked together. 4. The friendship between Antonio and Bassanio has been described in vivid terms. 5. The scene prepares us for three-fold action: Bassanio's Belmont-sited hopes, Lorenzo's promise to meet Bassanio later in the evening and Antonio's undertaking to raise funds for Bassanio. Hope this helps. Please let me know this helps you or not with a thanks.