Shakespear Merchant of Venice
Act 1 Scene 1 The first scene opens with Antonio, a wealthy merchant of Venice, discussing his sadness with his friends, Salerio and Solanio. ... He suggests that Bassanio set up a meeting with someone in Venice to try and procure a loan based on Antonio’s credit. ... She then says that by the laws of Venice he is entitled to his pound of flesh, and Shylock praises the decision. ... She cites a law in Venice stating that if any alien (as Jews were) tries to take the life of a citizen, half their wealth goes to that citizen and the other half goes to the state.