What's important about the setting of Venice and ships in
the opening scene of Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice is that
they set up the characterization of the characters and the plot of the
drama.
Antonio's livelihood is trade. This involves ships
and the city of Venice, which is known for its trade and shipping. His wealth is tied
up in ships at sea. His money is not liquid, as we would say today, he cannot get at it
if he should need it.
This situation helps to characterize
him when Bassanio needs financial help to pursue the women he longs for. Antonio is in
a position of risk, yet he does not hesitate to allow his friend to borrow money on his
own credit. This puts him at terrible risk, and the venture Bassanio wants to borrow
money for is not even a money-making venture. Antonio has nothing to gain. Yet he
immediately and willingly allows Bassanio to use his name to
borrow.
The situation fuels the plot of the play, then,
when Antonio's ships don't arrive safely as anticipated. It is Bassanio's need and
Antonio's willingness to fulfill that need that create the situation and the conflict of
the play.
The quotes are easily found, and the scene is
not particularly long. Just look for quotes that indicate Antonio is at risk and
waiting for his "ships to come in," so to speak, and look for the part of the scene
during which Antonio agrees to help Bassanio.
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