The Merchant of Venice 威尼斯商人

The Merchant of Venice

Chapter 01 Bassanio's Problem In the beautiful city of Venice there lived a man named Antonio. “ I'm feeling sad, but I don't know why, complained Antonio. “ Well, are you worried about your merchant ships?" asked his friend Salanio. “ No, I know they will be successful, " answered Antonio. He owned many ships that sailed around the world. These ships brought many foreign goods to Venice. Antonio was a rich man and he was also very generous

Just then, Bassanio and Gratiano joined the group of friends. “ Stop looking sad, Antonio! ” said Bassanio with a smile. “ Are you trying to look wise?” laughed Gratiano. “ No, no, be quiet all of you. Life is a play and I must play a sad part, ” said Antonio. “ Okay, Antonio. We're just joking We have to go. See you again! ” said Salanio and Gratiano. Antonio looked at his best friendBassanio. He looked different today.

“ So Bassanio, tell me your secret! ” said Antonio. “ I borrowed money from you before, ” said Bassanio. “ Never mind! We are friends, ” said Antonio. “ I am in love! I love Portia from Belmont. Her father died, and he was very wealthy. So now she is rich, too, ” said Bassanio. “ Oh, that's good news! ” smiled Antonio. “ Many young men want to marry her, so they give her expensive gifts. I want to give her expensive gifts, too. But I am poor. Dearest friend I must ask you for a loan of money again, ” said Bassanio.

Antonio often lent money to his friends. He didn't want any money as payment. However, he couldn't help Bassanio this time. “ All of my money is tied up in the ships. They are at sea now. We have to go to a moneylender. I will help you, ” said Antonio. Shylock was a moneylender in Venice. He loved money very much. He charged a lot of money as payment for lending money. Many people didn't like him. They thought he was cruel and unfair. But Antonio and Bassanio didn't have anywhere else to go.

Antonio and Bassanio went to Shylock's house. When Shylock saw them coming, he said, “ Oh, I hate Antonio! He is a kind and generous man. He lends money without thinking of himself. He never makes any money from interest! ” When Antonio approached Shylock's house, he said, “ I think this man hates me. He is dirty and cruel and takes money from the poor. " The two men really disliked each other.