ABSTRACT
The first scene of The Merchant of Venice is rarely singled out in such a way because, while it has its richly comic moments, it appears unobtrusively casual. Alexander Leggatt shrewdly remarks on the ‘detailed humanity’ of the characters in this play and finds in their speeches ‘a naturalism of manner’ involving ‘the revelation of feeling beneath apparent small talk. The merchants of Venice clearly deal in luxury items, but the lyricism of Salerio’s evocation ensures that we are more likely to be attracted by the rich exoticism of the merchandise itself than by any opportunity to moralise about indulgent hedonism. The middle which begins The Merchant of Venice is the middle of a conversation which introduces us to the comedy of an exasperated and exasperating Antonio, the melancholy merchant. An emphatic outburst reveals Antonio half-desirous to be relieved of these companions. Shylock proceeds to caricature the act of generosity which Antonio seeks from him.
