The Merchant of Venice 1.1 -1.2

Having finished background reading before starting the play, I had a grasp on the context and possible themes in the play which made it easier for me to understand Act 1.1-1.2.  Scene one was filled with commercial diction as Antonio engages in conversations with his friends and kinsman on his sadness. I think that the abundance of commercial diction emphasizes the role of trade in Venetian society. Words such as argosies, venture, ports, piers, the wealthy Andrew, vessels, fortune, merchandise, and business were used in scene one as Antonio and his friends discuss commerce matters. However, I noticed that the men in the scene actually try to avoid appearing overly concerned with their business matters because Antonio denies that he is worried about his business. His friends also bring up the discussion of commerce mostly in an indirect manner because they intermix Antonio's state of mind with his trading matters as seen in lines 8-9: "Your mind is tossing on the ocean, There where your argosies with portly sail".

 I remember in the background essay we read for The Merchant of Venice that in Christianity, mercy and compassion was emphasized over literal matters such as wealth and appearances. So I think Shakespeare portrayed the men seemingly not having their business matters as a priority because they Christian men wouldn't want to appear as too focused on their wealth or being portrayed as greedy. However when Bassanio enters scene one, he certainly does seem concerned with wealth because he needs money in order to become a potential suitor for Portia. He talks to great lengths on his debts and his desperate need to borrow money. Antonio, displaying his generosity and understanding of his situation, agrees that he will help Bassanio as best as he can. Antonio's willingness to help Bassanio despite his own business troubles reflects Christian values of always helping people who ask for your help. However Bassanio's desire to marry Portia is also closely tied with economic concerns, which parallels with Antonio's sadness and the troubles he faces with his trading business. Personal matters are inevitably related to economic matters.