Merchant of Venice Act 1

Act 1 Scenes 1-2

1) The setting of theis story is that it's in Venice, Italy. The time is in the medieval/renissance era. There is a lot of people in the story and they seemed to have a class ranking. The wealthiest being on top. The characters seem like very friendly with each other and they seem like everyone in the class knows everyone. 

2) Antonio is a merchant, whose business is not doing well. Causing Bassanio, who wants another loan from him, but not being able to pay for another loan. Antonio is worried about his business failing.

3) Bassanio wants to get a loan from Antonio. He wants to be a suitor to Portia, a lady who is looking for suitor's to marry. 

4) In Portia's wanted to remain neutral in front of tbe suitors but complains heavily to her hand maid. She wants to do something but can't really do anything because of how her father's will is. The suitor out of three chest. 

Act 1 Scene 3

1) She can't get married to one of her suitors because it really out of her hands because of her father's will. It stated that the suitors had to pick out of three chest, one that contained lead, silver, and gold. But because of this there is some sorr of consequence, because of how easy it could be. Her father wanted her to have a good suitor and make sure that she could be okay. 

2) Shylock is a Jewish man who Bassanio is looking for a loan from. Antonio is also helping him out.   Bassaino needs three thousand ducats (gold coins) from him so he could be a good suitor for Portia.  Shylock agress to the tansition for the gold coins. 

3) Shylock and Antonio come to terms with him by agreeing if Antonio does't pay on tbe day that the payment is due, Shylock can cut off any piece of flesh of anywhete on the body of him. 

4) Shylock is hesitant because of the history of the Jewish people and the Christans conflicts. They don't have an exactly helpful situation, because Antonio is mean to the Jewish people and that's why Shylock is hesitant to accept the offer.

5) No I would not trust Antonio, because it seemed like he didn't really have the money to pay back the loan. He said that he had about four ships to other countires that only held lumber, so in technicality be probably didn't really have the money for this type of transaction. 

Reflections:

I think this is so because we give so much trust into our friends, that we expect them to pay us back. But what would happen if they don't pay them back? There might be a big fight. I don't really think it's smart for Antonio and Shylock to do business, because of how their history is. They don't seem like a good business partners because of this. It seems like they would kill each other when they have the chance.