After reading the first act in The Merchant of Venice, I am left pondering a few questions and also have developed some ideas about this work. First off, a question that stands out in my mind is why is Antonio so generous to Bassanio? Currently Antonio has all of this money invested in ships, and he has nothing left to give Bassanio. Although this is true, he tells Bassanio that if Antonio can find someone else to lend him the money, he will give his trust to reassure that person that the money is returned. When Bassanio finds Shylock to loan the money, Antonio is willing to risk a pound of his flesh for Bassanio. I just feel as though this is a little bit of an extreme length to go for someone who is just a friend. I do not know the reason, but I think there must be some ulterior motive.
Another issue that stood out in my head during this act is unrequited love. Antonio stated in the opening that he is a sad man. Solanio suggests that he is sad because he is in love. Unrequited love would be the perfect explanation for this sadness. Unrequited love is love that is not reciprocated, and I feel as though this is the perfect explanation for Antonio’s sadness. But who is he in love with? Another question that looms at the end of this act.
Another term that I think is relatable in this act is Schadenfreude. This is taking pleasure in other people’s pain. This definition brings Shylock to mind. He does not want to loan the money to Bassanio, but because of the grudge he holds over Antonio, he is willing to loan the money. For example, “if I can catch him once upon a hip, I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him” (1.3. 39-40). He makes Antonio promise to give a pound of his flesh if the money is not returned in time. This agreement makes no sense. Having a pound of Antonio’s flesh, will not make the situation any better. If Bassanio does not return the money, Shylock is out three thousand ducats, and having a pound of Antonio’s flesh will not change that. But the fact is, Shylock wants to see Antonio in pain, which is Schadenfreude. He so deeply wants to see Antonio in pain, that e is willing to risk three thousand ducats for this to happen. I am curious to see the outcome of this scenario.
Overall, I am left with these three questions after reading this act. Why is Antonio so willing to give up a pound of his flesh for Bassanio? Who is Antonio in love with? And lastly, will Antonio be forced to give up a pound of his flesh? I hope these questions are soon to be answered in the following acts.
3 comments:
I agree with Lisa'a comment about Antonio's unrequited love to be the cause of Antonio's sadness. To give a possible answer to her question, maybe Antonio is in love with Bassanio. This would coincide with the comment Erica said that Antonio may be hiding something or not being true to himself. This would also explain why he is so generous to Bassanio.
I have never read this play before so I'm unsure of what happens in the next few acts but I too was wondering why Shylock would lend money to somebody that he completely and openly hates. I understand and truely think that Shylock hopes that Antonio doesn't pay so that he can take a pound of his flesh. Taking a pound of Antonio's flesh would in fact kill Antonio but at the same time we already know from the beginning that Antonio is wealthy and will most likely have the money for Shylock if Bassanio can't pay. I agree with you one hundred percent and also have a feeling these characters may have an alternative motive.
~ Julie Scott
I think we're overlooking something important here: lending money is Shylock's business, and how he makes his living. Whether he hates Antonio or not, he lends the money because he would not turn away a customer. It could very well be that he is hoping Antonio will default on the loan (it certainly seems to be the case by the middle of the play), but remember that he loans the money because he believes Antonio is a man of sufficient means to repay it. So, while the pound of flesh might be a hope in the back of Shylock's mind, I think the original reason for the loan was simply because that is Shylock's business.
Post a Comment