In Act 1, we are introduced to the main characters and the key themes of money and marriage. Scene 1 is set in Venice, where we are introduced to Antonio, a merchant from Venice, and Bassanio, his friend. Antonio and Bassanio are two very important characters in the play.
Bassanio intends to seek Portia’s hand in marriage, but he needs a loan to allow him to do so. Antonio is not in a position to lend Bassanio the money. He offers to help raise a loan for Bassanio.
The action then moves swiftly to Portia’s house in Belmont in Scene 2, where we hear about the many suitors lining up to seek Portia’s hand in marriage.
In Scene 3, the final scene of this act, we move back to Venice where Antonio is discussing terms of a loan from the Jewish moneylender, Shylock.
