The Merchant of Venice Act 1 Scene 1 Part 1.pptx

Scene 1 of Act I of the Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare- Fully Explained

1. The Merchant of Venice ACT 1 SCENE 1 Part 1

2. Meaning of the Dialogue ANTONIO In sooth, I know not why I am so sad; It wearies me; you say it wearies you;
But how I caught it, found it, or came by it,
What stuff ‘tis made of, whereof it is born,
I am to learn;
And such a want-wit sadness makes of me,
That I have much ado to know myself. ACT I SCENE I. Venice. A street. Enter ANTONIO, SALARINO, and SALANIO (Antonio replies his two friends when they ask him the reason for his melancholic mood.) Truly, I don’t know why I am so sad You say my sadness tires you, but it tires me too But how I acquired the sadness, What is it made of and the origin (cause) of the sadness, I am yet to know (unaware); And the sadness makes me such want –wit (absent minded) That I have trouble knowing myself. Questions : 1. What does Antonio tell his friends about his sadness? 2. What is the effect of sadness on Antonio? Word meanings – wearies – tires want-wit – absent minded ado – trouble

3. Your thoughts are on the ocean tossing Where your big ships are sailing portly They are like gentlemen and rich people of the sea Or the processions of the sea And the small ships which bob up and down seem as if they are bowing his ships and doing them reverance As his ships are passing by them with their canvas sails SALARINO Your mind is tossing on the ocean; There, where your argosies with portly sail, Like signiors and rich burghers on the flood, Or, as it were, the pageants of the sea, Do overpeer the petty traffickers, That curtsy to them, do them reverence, As they fly by them with their woven wings. Meaning of the Dialogue Word meanings – argosies – big ships signiors – important people flood – sea overpeer – look down upon pageants – processions Traffickers – small boats Curtsy – bow (the bobbing boats seem to be bow down) In this dialogue, Salarino predicts that Antonio is sad because he is worried about his ships which are carrying merchandise. Here Salarino is trying to boost up Antonio as he praises his ships. Questions : Which cause does Salarino predict of Antonio's sadness? What does Salarino compare Antonio’s ships to? [3 comparisons]

4. Believe me, sir, if I had such venture out there, the better part of my thoughts would be with my hope of their safe arrival. I’d be still plucking the grass to know where the wind blows, looking over maps for ports and piers and roads; And every object that would make me afraid of misfortune to my ships, would make me sad without a doubt. Meaning of the Dialogue In this dialogue, Salanio adds to Salarino, saying that if he had such a risky business on the sea, he would be tensed too. He says that he would be worried of the wind and storms at sea. Although he can’t do anything with the safety of the ships, he will want to know the direction of the wind and peer in maps for safe places. Word meanings – Venture – business forth – out at sea Affections - thoughts peering – looking keenly

5. His breath cooling the soup would bring him an ague as it reminds him the harm a great wind at sea could do to his ship. The sandy hour glass would remind him the sandy shores on which his wealthy ship could have run aground. He imagines his ship docked in sand with its mast lower than the sides touching the sand where it is going to be buried. 1. 2. The three MISFORTUNES When he visits the church, the holy building made of stones reminds him of the huge rocks at sea which pose danger to his ships. His ship would crack and all of his merchandise would drown even if a rock brushed her. 3. Word meanings wind : breath wealthy Andrew : rich ship (Andrew was a name used for ships) vailing :  lowering. v ailing : lowering ague : fever enrobe : cover Questions Why would Salarino be blown to an ague ? What effect would be running of the sandy hour-glass produce on Salarino ? What would Salarino think after going to the church?

6. The Three Misfortunes

7. In a moment, his ships worth everything and then worth nothing. If I can think about all this (If I were a merchant) Can I not think if such a thing could happened, how sad I would be…. So, don’t argue with me, I know Antonio You are sad because of your merchandise Meaning of the Dialogue

8. Believe me, it is not like that . I thank my fortune for My business is not trusted to one ship The ships are not going to one place and my entire estate is Not depended on the profit or loss of this financial year Then are you in love Nonsense !!! Meaning of the Dialogue Word meanings – Bottom : ship Estate : merchandise What reasons does Antonio give for proving that he is not sad because of his merchandise? (3 reasons) Question

9. Not in love either? Then let’s say you’re sad because you are not happy; just as it’s easy to say that you are happy because you are not sad. By Janus, nature has made strange people in her time : Some that laugh like parrots at a bag piper until their eyes shrink Some have such a sour aspect, that they will not laugh even if Nestor swears the joke is laughable. Meaning of the Dialogue Extra references – Janus : the God of doors who had two heads – one frowning and one merry Nestor : A general who was known for the fact that no one could make him laugh What does Salanio say could be the reason for Antonio’s sadness? (when Antonio says his melancholy is not due to his merchandise) What types of people has nature created according to Salanio? Who is Janus? Who is Nestor? Questions Meanings – ‘twere : it were Joke : joke

10. SALANIO : I appreciate your concern. I see your own business needs you, And you take this opportunity to leave. laugh – meet together and enjoy 71 – We will meet when we both are free (mutual understanding)

11. Thank you