The Merchant of Venice

1
The Merchant of Venice

• Act I, Scene I
• Antonio has invested all his wealth in trading
  expeditions. Bassanio asks for money to go to
  Belmont. Bassanios plan is to woo the fair and
  rich Portia. Antonio gives Bassanio permission
  to borrow money on his credit.

2
Antonio

• Antonio begins the play sad but he does not know
  what is causing his sadness.
• It could be his business ventures/risks, love or
  just a bad mood

3
Antonio's Ships

• Antonios ships carry silks, fabrics and spice.
• He may be fearful of his ships sinking, crashing
  on rocks, uncontrollable winds or possible take
  overs. An Allusion is made to the wealthy Andrew,
  taken over by the English.

4
Gratiano

• One of Antonios friends
• Talks constantly
• Never has a valid point in his long speeches His
  reasons are as two grains his in two bushels of
  chaff

5
Bassanio

• Loyal friend of Antonio.
• He has borrowed money from Antonio before but has
  spent it and has been unable to repay his friend.
• He is seeking to borrow another sum of money from
  Antonio
• Bassanio needs the money to make a love
  connection.

6
Portia

• Portia is a wealthy heiress.
• She has many rich suitors after her hand and
  marriage.
• Bassanio needs a large sum of money to woo
  Portia.
• However, he does have the edge because they have
  hinted that they like each other.

7
Bassanios borrowing habits in a metaphor

• Bassanio compares his spending habits to shooting
  an arrow.
• He carelessly spent his first two loans, like
  shooting an arrow and not watching where it
  falls.
• However Bassanio promised Antonio that he would
  repay him the third loan and make up the previous
  two.

8
Speaking of literary terms

• There are three allusions in this scene. What are
  they?
• There is also a simile used to describe Gratiano.
  Explain the simile.

9
End of the scene

• Antonio tells Bassanio that My purse, my person
  and my extremest means Lie all unlocked to your
  occasions.
• Bassanio will go to Belmont
• BUT first they need to drum up some money

10
Money

• Currently all of Antonios money is tied up at
  sea.
• So they are going to see what his credit will do
  in Venice

11
Foreshadowing

• With the introduction of the loan we begin to
  foreshadow events and characters to come

12
Scene II Preview

• Introduce Portia and Nerissa.
• Introduce their current problem