Characters: The Christians: Antonio, Salerio, Salanio, Bassanio, Lorenzo, Gratiano

The gist: Antonio is unhappy but nobody knows why. All his ships are at sea. His friend Bassanio needs a loan from him so that he can go and romance the beautiful Portia.

Quotations: “In Belmont is a lady richly left, and she is fair, and fairer than that word.” – A woman has been left a great fortune in Belmont, and she is extremely beautiful.