# Scene I explained — The Merchant of Venice

> Chapter companion for The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/chapters/act-i-scene-i
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_merchant_of_venice_se/chapters