amount he needs if Antonio signs his name to the loan. However, because of this act of friendship and generosity, Antonio will soon find himself embroiled in an extremely difficult and life- threateningsituation.
The second scene takes place in Belmont. As in many of his plays, Shakespeare does not necessarily intend this location to be a reference to an actual place in England or anywhere else. This place actually exists in Shakespeare's imagination, and he probably chose the name because it means beautiful mountain (bella montagnain Italian).Belmonthas a mystical or magical quality about it. It is in the country whereas Venice is a city. Life and rules are different in Belmont. Shakespeare subtly indicates that a difference exists by having the characters speak inproseinstead of in poeticiambicpentameter.
Portiais speaking to her waiting-womanNerissa. Although Nerissa is a servant, Portia appears to have a close and friendly relationship with her and reveals her intimate thoughts to her.
Yet, despite the magical quality of her world, Portia is also feeling somewhatmelancholic: she “is aweary of this great world” (1-2). Thus, Portia becomes a counterpart to Antonio in this play.However, unlike Antonio, Portia knows the