The Merchant of Venice · Chapter
Scene I explained
Antonio expresses unexplained sadness to Salarino and Salanio, who speculate it is due to his merchant ships at sea.
What happens
Antonio expresses unexplained sadness to Salarino and Salanio, who speculate it is due to his merchant ships at sea. Bassanio, Lorenzo, and Gratiano enter; Gratiano chides Antonio for his melancholy. After they leave, Bassanio reveals his financial troubles and his desire to court Portia in Belmont, asking Antonio for a loan. Antonio, lacking liquid funds, offers to use his credit to raise the money.
Themes in this chapter
Mercantilism and Risk
Antonio's sadness is linked to his merchant ventures at sea, and the scene emphasizes the financial risks of trade and borrowing.
Love and Friendship
Bassanio's request for a loan is framed by his love for Portia and his deep friendship with Antonio, who is willing to risk his credit for him.
Characters to notice
- Antonio
Opens the scene expressing unexplained sadness; later agrees to help Bassanio by using his credit.
- Bassanio
Asks Antonio for a loan to court Portia, revealing his debts and his plan to win her.
- Gratiano
Chides Antonio for his melancholy and advocates for mirth and laughter.
- Salerio
Speculates that Antonio's sadness is due to his merchant ventures at sea.
- Salanio
Joins Salerio in discussing Antonio's sadness and the risks of sea ventures.
- Lorenzo
Arrives with Bassanio and Gratiano; leaves with Gratiano before Bassanio's private conversation with Antonio.
Key passages
“In sooth, I know not why I am so sad: It wearies me; you say it wearies you; But how I caught it, found it, or came by it, What stuff 'tis made of, whereof it is born, I am to learn;”
Truly, I don't know why I'm so sad. It tires me, and you say it tires you too, but I have no idea how I got this way or what it's made of.
Antonio confesses his unexplained melancholy to Salarino and Salanio.
“My ventures are not in one bottom trusted, Nor to one place; nor is my whole estate Upon the fortune of this present year: Therefore my merchandise makes me not sad.”
I haven't put all my investments in one ship or one place, and my entire wealth doesn't depend on this year's luck, so my goods don't make me sad.
Antonio dismisses the idea that his sadness is due to worry about his ships.
“In Belmont is a lady richly left; And she is fair, and, fairer than that word, Of wondrous virtues: sometimes from her eyes I did receive fair speechless messages: Her name is Portia,”
In Belmont there is a wealthy lady who is beautiful and virtuous; I once received silent messages from her eyes. Her name is Portia.
Bassanio describes Portia to Antonio, explaining his desire to court her.