The Merchant of Venice, William Shakespeare
Act 1.1
1. Summarize the scene.
- Setting: a street in Venice (no specific location)
- Themes: Friendship
- Characters: Antonio, Bassanio, Portia (indirectly), Solanio, Salerio, Gratiano, Lorenzo
- Antonio (a merchant in Venice) feels melancholic (depressed, sad) and cannot discern the
source of his melancholy
- His friends, Salerio and Solanio, suggest that Antonio is depressed for one of three reasons:
he is worried about his investments overseas, he is in love, or he is simply strange (Antonio
dismisses all of these reasons)
- Gratiano and Lorenzo (Antonio’s best friend) arrive; Salerio and Solanio leave Antonio to
“better company” (1.1.59) or “worthier friends” (1.1.61) which suggests some tension between
Antonio’s two groups of friends
- Bassanio reveals that he has squandered away his money on alcohol and living beyond his
means. His plan is to travel to Belmont as a suitor with the intention of marrying a rich heiress,
Portia. He needs Antonio’s help to finance the trip.
- Antonio’s money is tied up in investments. He will use his reputation in Venice to borrow
money for Bassanio’s trip.
2. What explanations does Salerio offer for Antonio’s feelings of depression?
List three.
a) Antonio is worried about his merchandise (ventures) at sea. A business
“venture” or adventure suggests risk and uncertainty of gain or loss.
 “The better part of my affections would / Be with my hopes abroad”
(1.1.16-17).
 “And every object that might make me fear / Misfortune to my
ventures, out of doubt / Would make me sad” (1.1.20-22).
 “But tell me not: I know Antonio / Is sad to think upon his
merchandise” (1.1.39-40).
b) Antonio is in love.
 “Why, then you are in love” (1.1.46).
c) Antonio is a strange man.
The Merchant of Venice, William Shakespeare

“Nature hath fram’d strange fellows in her time” (1.1.51).
3. What do we learn about Antonio in light of his conversation with Salerio and
Solanio?
a) Antonio has been acting out of character. He has not been himself lately, yet
he does not know the root of his melancholy.
 “In sooth, I know not why I am so sad” (1.1.1).
 “And such a want-wit sadness makes of me, / That I have much ado
to know myself” (1.1.6-7).
b) Antonio is a smart businessman who does not keep all of his money tied to
one single investment.
 “My ventures are not in one bottom trusted, / Nor to one place; nor is
my whole estate / Upon the fortune of this present year” (1.1.42-44).
c) Antonio is not in love and he quickly dismisses the accusation. This may
suggest that business and friendship are prioritized over romance. Is Antonio
against the thought of romance?
 “Fie, fie!” (1.1.46).
4. What advice does Gratiano offer Antonio in lines 79-102?
a) Lighten up! Laugh, enjoy wine with good company, and enjoy life. It is better
to heat up the liver with alcohol than to cool the heart (metaphorically
speaking) with displeasure.
 “With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come, / And let my liver
rather heat with wine / Than my heart cool with mortifying groans”
(1.1.80-82).
b) Do not attempt to earn a reputation for being wise by remaining quiet and
stern. Some men appear solemnly in order to give the appearance of
intelligence, wisdom, and stature.
 There are a sort of men whose visages
Do cream and mantle like a standing pond,
And do wilful stillness entertain,
With purpose to be dress’d in an opinion
Of wisdom, gravity, profound conceit,
As who should say, ‘I am Sir Oracle,
And when I ope my lips, let no dog bark!’ (1.1.88-94)
The Merchant of Venice, William Shakespeare

“But fish not, with this melancholy bait, / For this fool-gudgeon, this
opinion” (1.1.101-02).
5. Describe Bassanio’s present predicament. What does Antonio plan to do for
his friend? Describe Antonio’s feelings for Bassanio?
a) Bassanio’s predicament:
 He has squandered away his money on alcohol and living beyond his
means and has found himself in great debt. His chief concern, now,
is to repay his debts in full. Much of the money that Antonio wasted
belonged to Antonio; Bassanio requests that Antonio lend him more
money yet, this time, Bassanio assures Antonio that it will not be
wasted.
 “I have disabled mine estate, / By something showing a more
swelling port / Than my faint means would grant continuance”
(1.1.123-25).

but my chief care
Is, to come fairly off from the great debts
Wherein my time, something too prodigal,
Hath left me gag’d. (1.1.127-30)
 That which I owe is lost; but if you please
To shoot another arrow that self way
Which you did shoot the first, I do not doubt,
(As I will watch the aim) or to find both,
Or bring your latter hazard back again
And thankfully rest debtor for the first. (1.1.147-52)
b) What does Antonio plan to do for his friend?
 Antonio believes that Bassanio, despite Bassanio’s poor decisions, is
honourable and Antonio demonstrates his loyalty to his best friend by
offering to help pay the debt. Presently, Antonio’s money is invested
in his merchandise at sea (he needs to sell it before he can obtain
the money). Antonio will use his reputation to borrow money that will
finance Bassanio’s trip to Belmont.
 And if it stand, as you yourself still do,
Within the eye of honor, be assur’d
My purse, my person, my extremest means,
Lie unlock’d to your occasions. (1.1.136-39)
 “Try what my credit can in Venice do: / That shall be rack’d, even to
the uttermost, / To furnish thee to Belmont, to fair Portia” (1.1.180-
The Merchant of Venice, William Shakespeare
82).
c) Describe Antonio’s feelings for Bassanio.
 Antonio treasures is friendship with Bassanio; he loves Bassanio
 Despite Bassanio’s poor use of Antonio’s money, Antonio still
believes that Bassanio is honourable
 Antonio shows his loyalty and devotion to his best friend, Bassanio,
by offering to help Bassanio pay for his debts at all cost.
 “My purse, my person, my extremest means, / Lie all unlock’d to your
occasions” (1.1.138-39).
6. What is the main plot development revealed in this first scene? How does
Portia fit into this plot?
a) Antonio and Bassanio must acquire the means to pay off Bassanio’s debt.
Antonio plans to use his reputation as a wealthy merchant to borrow the
money needed for Bassanio to travel to Belmont, home to Portia
b) Bassanio plans to marry Portia, a rich and beautiful heiress, in order to pay off
his debts
Act 1.2
1. Summarize the scene.
- Setting: Belmont (fictional location); a room in Portia’s house (possibly the casket
room)
- Theme(s): Prejudice/Discrimination, Child-Parent Relationships
- Characters: Portia, Nerissa
- Portia expresses her sadness over the casket lottery which her dead father designed
in order to find Portia a loving husband
- Nerissa lists Portia’s suitors and Portia reveals her opinion (and prejudices) of each
suitor
- Nerissa mentions Bassanio; Portia speaks fondly of Bassanio
The Merchant of Venice, William Shakespeare
2. What is the lottery devised by Portia’s father?
a. intended to help Portia marry a man who truly loves her
 three chests (gold, silver, and lead)
 the man who chooses the correct chest will marry Portia
 “therefore, the lottery that he hath devised in these three chests of
gold, silver, and lead, whereof who chooses his meaning chooses
you, will, no doubt, never be chosen by any rightly but one who you
shall rightly love” (1.2.28-32).
3. List four of the suitors named by Nerissa, and Portia’s response. How are
Portia’s comments humorous?
a. Neapolitan Prince (from Naples, Italy)
 “Ay, that’s a colt indeed, for he doth nothing but talk of his horse … I
am much afeard my lady his mother played false with a smith”
(1.2.39-40, 42-43).
 He is obsessed with horses and his father is likely someone of low
breeding (ignoble)
b. n (nobleman with his on territory)
 “He doth nothing but frown” (1.2.45).
 “He hears merry tales, and smiles not” (1.2.46-47).
 “I had rather be married to death’s head with a bone in his mouth
than to either of these” (1.2.49-51).
 He is too sad and melancholy
c. Monsieur Le Bon (a Frenchman)
 “God made him, and therefore let him pass for a man” (1.2.53-54).
 “he is every man in no man” (1.2.57).
 “he will fence with his own shadow” (1.2.58).
 He has the same qualities as the first two suitors; he has no
personality (dull)
d. Falconbridge (an Englishman)
 “he hath neither Latin, French, nor Italian” (1.2.66-67).
 “who can converse with a dumb-show?” (1.2.69-70).
 strange, mismatched fashion
The Merchant of Venice, William Shakespeare

He does not speak different languages and he seems unintelligent
4. Describe Portia’s thoughts concerning her suitors and the manner in which
her marriage partner is to be chosen.
a. She does not want a terrible husband and would be willing to devise a trap
 “I will do anything, Nerissa, ere I will be married to a sponge” (1.2.9495).
b. She is virtuous and respects her father’s will; she must marry by her father’s
casket lottery
 “If I live to be as old as Sibylla, I will die as chaste as Diana, unless I be
obtained by the manner of my father’s will” (1.2.102-04).
Scene Three
1. Summarize the scene.
- Setting: Venice (a public place)
- Theme(s): Prejudice/Discrimination, Appearance versus Reality, Revenge
- Characters: Bassanio, Shylock and Antonio
- Bassanio meets with Shylock to arrange the details of the bond (three thousand
ducats for three months and Antonio bound)
- Shylock reveals his secret hate for Antonio (and other Christians) in an aside; he
describes Antonio’s past insults and acts of discrimination against Shylock. Shylock
reveals that he will exact his revenge against Antonio if given the opportunity.
- Shylock explains the terms of the bond: should Antonio fail to pay, Shylock will take a
pound of Antonio’s flesh from any part of Antonio’s body. Despite Bassanio’s advice
against taking the bond, Antonio agrees to the terms. *key to the BOND PLOT
2. How much does Bassanio ask to borrow from Shylock? Who is legally
responsible for the loan? How long is the period of the loan?
a. Bassanio asks to borrow three thousand ducats for three months; Antonio is
legally responsible. This loan is the equivalent of $12,000 to $15,000:
The Merchant of Venice, William Shakespeare
Shylock: Three thousand ducats; well.
Bassanio: Ay, sir, for three months.
Shylock: For three months; well.
Bassanio: For the which, as I told you, Antonio shall be
bound. (1.3.1-5)
3. How is the theme of hate introduced in this scene?
The theme of hatred is introduced in Shylock’s first aside, wherein he describes his
secret hate for Antonio. Shylock hates Antonio for a number of reasons, yet he behaves
as though he welcomes the business opportunity.
See 1.3.37-48
4. Outline the possible justifications for Shylock’s feelings toward Bassanio,
Antonio and all the other Christians. How does this scene illustrate the
hypocrisy of Antonio and Bassanio in their present request?
Possible justifications
a. The Christians (Antonio & Bassanio) fail to recognize the religious differences
between Christianity and Judaism (INSENSITIVITY)


Shylock says, “I will buy with you, sell with you, talk with you, walk with you,
and so following; but I will not eat with you, drink with you, nor pray with you”
(1.3.31-34).
Analysis: Bassanio casually invites Shylock to dinner, yet it is unlikely that
Bassanio has considered Shylock’s (Jewish) dietary restrictions. Bassanio
does not understand Jewish culture and, therefore, the importance of practicing
tradition (especially during mealtime).
b. Christians do not charge interest on loans  Christians are prohibited from
charging interest on loans. Jewish moneylenders, however, can charge interest. A
moneylender only earns a profit by receiving interest. Jewish moneylenders,
however, were in competition with Christian moneylenders. As a result, Jewish
The Merchant of Venice, William Shakespeare
moneylenders had to lower their interest rates to entice borrowers to borrow money
from them (rather than Christian moneylenders).

“He lends out money gratis, and brings down / The rate or usance here with us
in Venice” (1.3.40-41).
c. Shylock holds a grudge against Antonio since Antonio is an anti-Semite (shows
prejudice against Jews)  Shylock wants to maximize on an opportunity to exact his
revenge against Antonio because Antonio hates Jews



“If I can catch him once upon the hip, / I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear
him. / He hates our sacred nation” (1.3.42-44).
“You call me misbeliever, cut-throat dog, / And spit upon my Jewish
gabardine” (1.3.107-08).
“You, that did void your rheum upon my beard, / And foot me as you spurn a
stranger cur / Over your threshold” (1.3.113.15).
Hypocrisy
Through his past actions, which Shylock describes, Antonio demonstrates hatred,
discrimination, and immorality. He fails to recognize his own evil behaviour and
highlights Shylock’s evil nature, although Antonio’s opinion is based solely on Shylock’s
religion, not on Shylock’s actions. Antonio proves to be hypocritical since he criticizes
Shylock for the very character traits that Antonio possesses.

Mark you this, Bassanio
The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.
An evil soul, producing holy witness,
Is like a villain with a smiling cheek,
A goodly apple rotten at the heart. (1.3.93-97)
5. Give the exact quotation from the text which illustrates the consequence of
forfeiture of the bond. What will Shylock receive should Bassanio fail to repay
the money owed? If you were Antonio, would you enter into this agreement for
Bassanio, especially considering his past actions? Why? Why not?
Should Antonio fail to pay what he has borrowed, Shylock will take a pound of flesh
from any part of Antonio’s body:
The Merchant of Venice, William Shakespeare

If you repay me not on such a day,
In such a place, such sum or sums as are
Express’d in the condition, let the forfeit
Be nominated for an equal pound
Of your fair flesh, to be cut off and taken
In what part of your body, pleaseth me. (1.3.142-47)
Writing Assignment – ACT ONE
An aside is a speech delivered by a character directly to the audience. Although other
characters are present on stage, the audience understands that these characters are
not supposed to hear the words or the speaker. Thus, an aside allows a character to
reveal his or her innermost thoughts and feelings.
Read Shylock’s first aside – (1.3.37-48). Note how our simple view of Shylock as the
“villain” becomes more complicated.
In a two-paragraph response, describe the two ways we can view Shylock, and using
these lines, explain the view you now have of this character. Be sure to refer to the play
in your response.