My First Impression of Portia- Act 1

Portia is introduced by Bassanio who is talking to his dear friend: Antonio:

In Belmont is a lady richly left,

And she is fair, and fairer than the word,

Of wondrous virtues- sometimes from her eyes

I did receive fair speechless messages.

Her name is Portia, nothing undervalued.

He describes her as a beautiful, rich, and just lady. He also knows that she has inherited great riches. She offers the means to clear Bassanio’s debts if he is able to choose the right casket.

Not much is revealed about Portia in the first Act itself, besides the fact that she is polite, like mocking others, and a prisoner of her own house. Her father said that she must marry a man who chooses one of three caskets which carries gold, silver, and lead. This in return is hard for Portia in which she has no say in whom she can marry. 

Portia and Nerissa have a conversation about the suitors who came to pick a casket. Portia thinks that the Neapolitan Prince is a colt; he is too obsessed with horses. The County Palatine is too sad and melancholy. The French lord has no distinct original character of his own; and is every man in no man. She thinks that the Falconbridge (Englishman) is uneducated, dressed oddly, and behaves badly. Her opinion of the Scotsman is a fighter, and the Duke of Saxony’s nephew is a sponge, as he is a drunkard.

In my opinion, Portia is a very just a fair character who is very judgmental and has a dual personality at times; and that is what I dislike about Portia at times. 

My First Impression of Shylock- Act 1

Shylock is a cruel man who is prejudice towards all Christians.  He has an evil force from the beginning of the book itself towards these people. He is shown as an aggressive, demanding character who is very particular about religion and interference with anyone else but Jews. But at the same time, he doesn't mind talking to Christians for business or any other economic reasons; but clearly states that he doesn’t want any personal connection with any Christian:

I will buy with you, sell with you, talk with you,

Walk with you, and so following.

But I will not eat with you, drink with you,

Nor pray with you.

Jews had to wear a red hat whenever they were outside of the Ghetto.

 But you can clearly see he that he doesn't want to dine with them, eat with them, or pray with them. His powerful language and insightful intelligence causes him to overcome his petite appearance. My first impression of him was that why is he so mad and cruel; but as the drama progressed, I understood the reason to his aggressiveness. This is because he is hated by the Venetians, discriminated for his religion, culture, occupation, and even betrayed by his daughter; as she fell in love with a Christian. You can clearly see why Shylock is so desperate for revenge; it is a natural result of his circumstances.

When Antonio and Bassanio asked Shylock for the 3000 ducats; Shylock questions them why he should lend them money in the first place:

Fair sir, you spat on me on Wednesday last,

You spurned me such a day, another time

You called me dog; and for these courtesies

I’ll lend you thus much moneys?

Antonio abuses Shylock in public and disrespects him; so, Shylock asks why he should give them the loan. Since Shylock’s nature is to take advantage of the situation, he makes the bond that if the 3000 ducats isn't repaid by 3 months, Antonio has to forfeit a pound of flesh. In my opinion, Shylock is my favorite character in the book. This is because of his powerful language, hard heart, and his slyness. 

My Impression of Antonio- Act 1

      Antonio comes out as a sober and sad character who is supposedly depressed without a reason. However, he is silent enough to be a gentleman. He is depicted as an extremely quiet and antisocial person, but is often shown to be kind and caring. Antonio has a father affection towards Bassanio. Evidence from the play suggests that Antonio may have been depressed since he found out that his very close friend fell in love with a woman; and Antonio may not have time to spend with his friend anymore. Another reason for his depression could be because he was worried about Bassanio since he was going to borrow money from Shylock and worried about Shylock's answer to his dear friend. However, at the beginning of the book, Salerio and Solanio suggest Antonio a reason for his depression could be that he was in love. He is scared to ask Shylock for money since Antonio abuses Shylock in public and harasses him, calls him a dog, and spits on his face. However, Shylock agrees to give Bassanio 3000 ducats, but if he doesn't return the money within three months; Antonio owes Shylock a pound of his flesh. In my opinion, Antonio is too proud and over confident as a character. He signed the bond between him and Shylock because he knows his ships will carry back three times the amount of the loan that Bassanio borrowed from Shylock, and therefore, Antonio didn't even break a sweat. One thing I like about him is his generosity. He is ready to die for his friend, Bassanio. Antonio never charges interest, and that is one reason Shylock dislikes Antonio very much. He is happy to help his friends, but he would never accept more than the original more. Antonio is rightfully depicted as a generious, proud, wealthy man, who is ready to do anything for his good friend: Bassanio.

My Impression of Bassanio- Act 1

·         Bassanio's character is of a very ambitious young man. He asked his very close friend; who was a rich merchant to lend him money. Bassanio told him of his plan of choosing a casket- to win the hand of Portia. However, it didn't look like he was interested in marrying Portia, but only interest in her wealth. He already borrowed money from Antonio a couple of times and failed to return it. That is why Bassanio told him that I know you've invested on me and I lost it, and if you lend me the money a second time, I will promise to bring back the money; if not the first batch, 

    at least the second one. Even though Antonio doesn't mind lending him the money and 

    will happily do anything for Bassanio; it seems like Bassanio uses Antonio solely for his wealth. Antonio can’t lend money since he put up all his money and fortune in overseas ventures, and his ships won’t return for the next two months. As a result, Antonio and Bassanio have to ask a Jew merchant for the loan. Antonio and Shylock come to an agreement that if the 3000 ducats isn't returned by 3 months, Antonio has to give up a pound of his flesh. This shows the sacrifice of Antonio for Bassanio- as Bassanio takes advantage of his so called friend. In my opinion, Bassanio has no faithful affection towards anyone. He doesn't really value Portia for her character, but mostly for her wealth. He hasn't done anything for his friend’s happiness; but his friend put his life on the line for Bassanio. I am not saying that Bassanio is a cruel, young man; but, he has no real affection towards anyone but himself, and that is what I dislike about him.