English Notes

The first scene introduces us to Antonio, who is telling his two friends, Salerio and Salanio that he is really sad, but is unsure why. “In sooth, I know not why I am so sad.”

His friends come up with all the possible reasons why he could be sad. They suggest that perhaps it is because of his ships at sea and the possibility of losing them. But he insists that his fortune does not rest in any one ship and that his wealth is not dependent on them coming back.

They suggest that he is in love but it is a suggestion that he rubbishes, before his closest friend Bassanio enters with Lorenzo and Gratiano. Salerio and Salanio leave and Gratiano tells Antonio that he does not look well, continuing the theme of the previous conversation. Antonio replies that the world is a stage and his part is simply, “a sad one.” After a long speech, which Bassanio describes as ‘an infinite deal of nothing,” Gratiano leaves with Lorenzo.

With Just Bassanio and Antonio on stage, Antonio asks Bassanio about the mystery woman he is setting off on a ‘pilgrimage,’ to see. Before telling him, Bassanio, in a guilty tone, tells Antonio how he has squandered all of his money. He tells us how he already owes a lot of money to Antonio when he says, “To you, Antonio, I owe the most in money and in love.” He also reveals that he has a new plan to pay back the debt that he owes to Antonio.

Antonio replies by telling Bassanio that whatever he wants, he need only ask. “Be assured/My purse, my person, my extremest means/ Lie all unlock’d to your occasions.” Bassanio tells him that when he was younger, he used to shoot arrows and that if he lost an arrow, he would shoot another arrow in the same direction and follow it in the hope of finding both arrows (Highlights the gambling nature of Bassanio) He now intends to do the same with his debts. He is going to need to spend more borrowed money in the hope of repaying all his debts.

Antonio tells him that there is no need for such a long winded story, that he needs to just hear his plan. Bassanio tells him, “In Belmont is a lady richly left.” This means that there is a woman who has been left a huge inheritance and is that suitors from all over the world are coming to seek her hand in marriage. But for Bassanio to try his luck, he needs to have money to impress her. “Had I but the means/ To hold a rival place with one of them.”

Antonio tells Bassanio that all his money is tied up at sea with his ships but he tells him that he can look for a loan in Venice that will be repaid by Antonio. “Try what my credit can in Venice do.” Antonio is in no doubt that they will easily get a loan based on his credit rating.

Questions:

1. What type of friend is Antonio based on this scene? Explain your answer.
2. What is your impression of Bassanio from what you have read? Give a reason for your answer.
3. Why does Bassanio need money?
4. Learn off the key quotes from this scene:

• “In sooth, I know not why I am so sad.” (Antonio)
• “To you, Antonio, I owe the most in money and in love.” (Bassanio)
• “Be assured/My purse, my person, my extremest means/ Lie all unlock’d to your occasions.” (Antonio)
• “In Belmont is a lady richly left. (Bassanio)
• “Try what my credit can in Venice do.” (Antonio)