Merchant of Venice Act 1

Scene 1 Act 1-2

1.     What is the setting of the story? What are the people like, the culture etc.?

The setting of the story is in the medieval times where there is monarchy and servants. It takes place in Venice, where Antonio and his friends are, and in Belmont where Portia lives. People in this novel have the power to do what they want and they are like servants. The culture in the book Is mostly European according to the place where they live in. Or Seeming to be Jewish.

2.     We meet Antonio in the first scene, who exactly is he and what is his worries that he faces early on?

Antonio is wealthy and he owns many investments which sail to many places around the world. Later on through out the story Antonio has a lot of friends and gets in to depression and his friends really try to cheer him on. The ask him why he is sad or depressed but he doesn't really know why.

3.     We also meet Bassanio a friend of Antonio, what does he ask of Antonio? Explain.

What Bassanio asks Antonio for loan. He asks this of Antonio because he is currently in dept. He explains a scenario to Antonio of when he would shoot an arrow and if it missed. he would shoot another one exactly the same why so that he could watch more precisely where it went so that he could find them.

4.     Portia worries about finding a husband, so what does she decide to do that she thinks will be best solution to her problem? Explain.

She decides to request her servant to a place of glass of wine on the wronf treasure box so that the men that the dad chose to marry is daughter portia would be easily draw to it and choose it

Scene1 Act 3

Revisiting the Portia situation, why is the choosing of a man suitable for her out of her hands?

Her father gives her decisions on men for her to choose and then portia feels that none of them are suitable. So she would just want to be a virgin her whole life and die as one. The reason why choosing a man is out of her hands is because she doesn't want to make decisions and she just wants to find a man that would be best for her instead of choosing

Who is Shylock? What is his importance in the story thus far?

Shylock is a Jewish loan negotiator that lives in the streets in venice and does his business in his house. His importance is giving loan money that he needs which is about 3k gold coins with a three months interest.

What is the agreement Shylock and Antonio come to terms with?

The agreement is friend ship. Shylock is tired of being berated by Antonio about his money lending so he offers his friendship to Antonio

Why is Shylock so hesitant of this agreement with Antonio? While answering this question you should also explain their history and relationship between each other.

The relationship with Antonio isn't friendly because Antonio doesn't like jews and Shylock is hesitant with the agreement because he spit on him.

Would you trust Antonio? Why or why not.

I dont trust him because he has a big depression and one thing bad that happens to him everything could go wrong. I don't trust him because he is rasict and I don't think he would be a really good friend.