A Child's History of the World by Virgil M. Hillyer
Chapter 71: A King Who Lost His Head
After James, Charles I, his son, became king of England. He agreed with his father that kings had a divine right to rule and felt that whatever the king said should be law. The people did not agree with this, and instead of just dragging him off like King John to sign a charter, they began to fight him.
A man named Oliver Cromwell led the people who were fighting against the king. Those opposed to the king wanted a Parliament to lead the people so that their interested were fairly represented. These people dressed plainly and sensibly as they gathered to fight, while the king's men, who were mostly nobles, dressed ostentatiously with lace and large hats decorated with long feathers. The king's men feasted and drank to prepare for battle, while the army of the people prayed and fasted to prepare. Eventually, the people won the war against the king. Oliver Cromwell became the Protector of England, which really just meant that he acted as the king. King Charles was tried for treason and beheaded, something that seems overly harsh and unnecessary as we look back on it.
Oliver Cromwell ruled sternly with an eye to justice. After he died, his son became Protector in his place. However, Cromwell's son was not smart and competent as Oliver had been, so he was removed from office. Instead, the people placed yet another Stuart king on the throne, Charles II, son of Charles I. The people forgot their dislike for the Stuarts it seemed. Charles II was called the Merry Monarch, as he was fond of eating and drinking and having a good time.
The plague came through London around this time and killed many, many people. In fact, it might have gone on killing people if the Great Fire hadn't come through in 1666. The fire burned down thousands of houses and hundreds of churches, while helped to kill the disease. Buildings had been built of wood before the fire, but when London was rebuilt, buildings were made of stone and bricks.
After Charles II, the final Stuart monarchs reigned, William and Mary. They gave their power over to the people so that it was truly the Parliament who ruled the country. And so, William and Mary were the last truly reigning king and queen of England.
Chapter 72: Red Cap and Red Heels
While the Stuarts were ruling in England and claiming the Divine Right of Kings, in France their were two more King Louis. The first was King Louis XIII. He was king in name, but a man named Cardinal Richelieu was the one actually making all the decisions. The Cardinal was a leader of the Catholic church in France, and to show his position he wore a red cap and a red robe.
Though Cardinal Richelieu was Catholic, he started a war against another Catholic country, Austria. He took the side of the Protestants because he wanted to have power over Austria. This war lasted thirty years and so came to be called the Thirty Years' War. Much of the fighting was done in the country of Germany, and one interesting participant in this war was the King of Sweden, sometimes called the Snow King or the Lion of the North. Though many kings fighting in this war were fighting for power, the king of Sweden was fighting for what he believed was right, and he ended up dying for his cause, though his side won the war. The Treaty of Westphalia decided that each country's monarch could decide that country's religion.
During the Thirty Years' War, the plague broke out in Germany also. A small town called Oberammergau prayed to be spared and that if they were, they would put on a play every ten years about the life of Jesus Christ. The town was spared and to this day they put on a Passion Play every ten years that draws crowds from all over the world.
The next king of France was Louis XIV. He believed, like King James and Charles I of England, in the Divine Right of Kings and said "I am the state." He strutted about like a peacock, dressed with fancy clothes, red high heeled shoes that made him look taller and more important, carrying a cane and walking with his elbows out and his toes turned out. He gather people around him that were the best at what they did and upheld a lavish court. Those who were not included in his court had to pay taxes to support all the lavish finery, and of course those on the outside did not put up with that for long.
Wednesday, July 5, 2017
Thursday, June 8, 2017
Poor Richard: Printer's Ink
Poor Richard: Printer's Ink
Though only twelve years of age, and having been sent to just one year of school, Ben became an apprentice to his older brother, who was a printer in Boston. There were two established newspapers to service the twelve thousand citizens of Boston, the official papers that were sent cheaply through the mail. James Franklin printed an alternate paper, with quite a bit more spice and flair than the dull standard papers. Ben worked hard and learned the printing presses well, enjoying the smell of the pungent ink, the crisp contrast of the ink against the paper, the satisfaction of seeing straight, clean rows of type. He saw that the world was moved and influence by words. Words changed things! And he wanted to learn to write with power.
Ben knew that before he could write well, he must read. So he borrowed books from friends, waking early and staying up late to read Plutarch's Lives and Pilgrim's Progress and try his hand at writing. Soon, an anonymous new column started showing up at James' printing house every two weeks, poking fun and making witty remarks about the doings of Boston.
Meanwhile, James printed enough questionable material to get in trouble with the authorities in Boston. They did not like his criticism and banter at their expense. James was locked up in the Boston jail and Ben was left to run the presses alone. He continued the shop and the anonymous column continued. After a month in jail, James returned to the shop, discovered that Ben was the author of the popular new column, and ended up having a quarrel with Ben, who probably thought he was hot stuff and deserved better treatment from his big brother.
Ben decided to sneak away and find his way elsewhere. He knew he couldn't find another apprenticeship in Boston, so he hopped on a boat to New York.
Though only twelve years of age, and having been sent to just one year of school, Ben became an apprentice to his older brother, who was a printer in Boston. There were two established newspapers to service the twelve thousand citizens of Boston, the official papers that were sent cheaply through the mail. James Franklin printed an alternate paper, with quite a bit more spice and flair than the dull standard papers. Ben worked hard and learned the printing presses well, enjoying the smell of the pungent ink, the crisp contrast of the ink against the paper, the satisfaction of seeing straight, clean rows of type. He saw that the world was moved and influence by words. Words changed things! And he wanted to learn to write with power.
Ben knew that before he could write well, he must read. So he borrowed books from friends, waking early and staying up late to read Plutarch's Lives and Pilgrim's Progress and try his hand at writing. Soon, an anonymous new column started showing up at James' printing house every two weeks, poking fun and making witty remarks about the doings of Boston.
Meanwhile, James printed enough questionable material to get in trouble with the authorities in Boston. They did not like his criticism and banter at their expense. James was locked up in the Boston jail and Ben was left to run the presses alone. He continued the shop and the anonymous column continued. After a month in jail, James returned to the shop, discovered that Ben was the author of the popular new column, and ended up having a quarrel with Ben, who probably thought he was hot stuff and deserved better treatment from his big brother.
Ben decided to sneak away and find his way elsewhere. He knew he couldn't find another apprenticeship in Boston, so he hopped on a boat to New York.
This Country of Ours: Chapter 29 The Founding of Connecticut and War with the Indians
I'm back after a hiatus over the past month. My reading time dwindled to the point that I had to take a break in my Year 4 lessons. We were renovating our rental unit for new tenants and it needed lots of TLC! Thankfully, our new neighbors have moved in and all the extra projects are (nearly) completed. Back to work on Year 4!
This Country of Ours
by Henrietta Elizabeth Marshall
Chapter 29: The Founding of Connecticut and War with the Indians
The Massachusetts Bay Colony was populated by quite a number of aristocratic-minded settlers. They were used to the many being ruled by the few and preferred that method of government in the new colony. However, there were others who came for freedom and demanded self-government. They saw that they needed to move farther afield from these aristocratic neighbors to achieve true freedom and began the process of finding a location for a new colony. Among those who desired to separate from the Massachusetts Bay Colony was Thomas Hooker, a prominent preacher, and John Harvard. The Connecticut River valley seemed fertile and a hospitable place to settle, so preparations were made. The Massachusetts Bay Colony did not want to lose a congregation, especially as churches and congregations were considered a lampstand to the world, and they did not want their candle to go out.
However, the dissenters were determined to go and could not be dissuaded. They sent their furniture ahead down river and loaded up, walking and driving their cattle and flocks ahead of them. Only Mrs. Hooker, who was unwell at the time, rode in a carriage. It was a difficult journey, as new paths had to be cut through the underbrush, streams had to be forded, and they had to find their food along the way. In the end, determination paid off when the group reached the Connecticut River and built the settlement of Hartford.
Other groups followed Hooker's example and made new settlements of their own. These various new settlements eventually met together to become the new colony of Connecticut. They made sure that there were no regulations that required a man to be part of a church congregation in order to be allowed to vote.
The Pequot Indians inhabited the Connecticut Valley and used to prey on small groups of unprotected settlers, stealing goods and murdering the settlers. When confronted by the colony leaders, at first the Indians pretended that they didn't know the victims were settlers of the Colony of Connecticut. The colonists would not let the wily Indians wiggle their way out of these serious charges and demanded that the murderers be handed over. The Pequots made promises they never fulfilled and so the colonists attacked when the Indians were not expecting it. The Pequot village was burned and those who tried to escape were killed without mercy, wiping out the entire tribe. This battle led to many years of peace between the colonists of Connecticut and the other Indians tribes, who were fearful of these powerful new settlers.
This Country of Ours
by Henrietta Elizabeth Marshall
Chapter 29: The Founding of Connecticut and War with the Indians
The Massachusetts Bay Colony was populated by quite a number of aristocratic-minded settlers. They were used to the many being ruled by the few and preferred that method of government in the new colony. However, there were others who came for freedom and demanded self-government. They saw that they needed to move farther afield from these aristocratic neighbors to achieve true freedom and began the process of finding a location for a new colony. Among those who desired to separate from the Massachusetts Bay Colony was Thomas Hooker, a prominent preacher, and John Harvard. The Connecticut River valley seemed fertile and a hospitable place to settle, so preparations were made. The Massachusetts Bay Colony did not want to lose a congregation, especially as churches and congregations were considered a lampstand to the world, and they did not want their candle to go out.
However, the dissenters were determined to go and could not be dissuaded. They sent their furniture ahead down river and loaded up, walking and driving their cattle and flocks ahead of them. Only Mrs. Hooker, who was unwell at the time, rode in a carriage. It was a difficult journey, as new paths had to be cut through the underbrush, streams had to be forded, and they had to find their food along the way. In the end, determination paid off when the group reached the Connecticut River and built the settlement of Hartford.
Other groups followed Hooker's example and made new settlements of their own. These various new settlements eventually met together to become the new colony of Connecticut. They made sure that there were no regulations that required a man to be part of a church congregation in order to be allowed to vote.
The Pequot Indians inhabited the Connecticut Valley and used to prey on small groups of unprotected settlers, stealing goods and murdering the settlers. When confronted by the colony leaders, at first the Indians pretended that they didn't know the victims were settlers of the Colony of Connecticut. The colonists would not let the wily Indians wiggle their way out of these serious charges and demanded that the murderers be handed over. The Pequots made promises they never fulfilled and so the colonists attacked when the Indians were not expecting it. The Pequot village was burned and those who tried to escape were killed without mercy, wiping out the entire tribe. This battle led to many years of peace between the colonists of Connecticut and the other Indians tribes, who were fearful of these powerful new settlers.
Thursday, April 20, 2017
Gregor Mendel: The Friar Who Grew Peas
Gregor Mendel: The Friar Who Grew Peas
by Cheryl Bardoe
Growing up in current day Czech Republic to a farmer, Gregor Mendel was close to nature and spent time noticing many things. He loved learning, so even though putting him through school was a sacrifice for his family, Gregor made sure he could continue learning. At times this meant Gregor missed meals regularly, as there was not enough money for school and food. Gregor was soon sent to a more rigorous school farther from home and had to board there away from his family. When Gregor was eighteen, his father broke his back, and any financial support he received from his family was over. But Gregor was resourceful and tutored other students in order to pay his way through school. Still, too often he went without eating. Gregor studied for a couple years at the University of Vienna, learning about science and mathematics, particularly about the scientific method. Finally, his hunger began to demand his attention, and Gregor made the decision to become a monk. At the time Gregor lived in the 1800's, monasteries were great centers of learning and had enough wealth to support scholarly and artistic efforts. Gregor had three square meals a day, plenty of time to study, and many other bright minds with whom to discuss his ideas.
A particularly interesting field of study to Gregor was the science of heredity. What made children like one parent in some ways and like the other parent in other ways? He decided to use what he learned about the scientific method to plan a huge experiment. He grew a variety of peas that exhibited different traits, some green and others yellow, some with smooth seeds and others with wrinkled, and so on. He picked seven different traits to study. Then he grew the peas for some time separately to be sure he had a pure batch of each trait with which to begin his experiment. After a couple years of growing, he was ready to begin in earnest. He intervened in nature's usual course of pollination by cutting off the stamen and manually dusting pollen from a plant with the opposite trait on to the egg cells of the original plant (for example, pollen from a yellow pea plant to pollinate a green pea plant). He did this very carefully with 287 pea plants and tied little bags over the plants to be sure no other pollen got to the egg cells. Then, he had to wait.
When the peas grew, the findings were fascinating! All the peas were yellow, even the ones from the green pea plants. And all the peas were smooth too! Gregor wondered, were the green peas and wrinkled peas gone forever? The next year, he let those plants cross pollinate as they normally do in nature and waited to see what would happen. This time, there were mostly yellow peas, but some green peas, and mostly smooth peas, but some wrinkled peas. Those traits hadn't disappeared, but rather had been hidden for a time! Some traits, like the color yellow, were dominant, while other traits, like the color green, were recessive. But two yellow pea plants that had a recessive or hidden green trait could still produce green peas.
Gregor continued his experiment for eight years, growing 28,000 pea plants in that time. He took careful notes and used mathematics to prove how the traits were passed from parent to child. He gathered his findings and published a research article and spoke at a university about his discovery. Unfortunately, no one seemed to understand that Gregor Mendel had discovered what we now call genes, the vehicle living things use to pass on traits to their offspring. People did not see how this new knowledge could change how they raised livestock and grains, how it could change so many things!
Soon Gregor was called to be the abbot of his abbey, and his new responsibilities took him away from his scientific work. He died without the world knowing what a great discovery he had made. About thirty years later, three men from three different countries came upon the same discovery as Gregor Mendel and happened to find his published research. They were amazed that a friar had already made the discovery!
The study of heredity, or genetics, is field of study still today as we continue to learn how genes affect the hardiness and quality of food crops, the desired traits in animals, and even the survival of species, something that Charles Darwin was writing about at the same time that Gregor Mendel was writing about the genes in his pea plants. We call Gregor Mendel the father of genetics because of his careful research.
by Cheryl Bardoe
Growing up in current day Czech Republic to a farmer, Gregor Mendel was close to nature and spent time noticing many things. He loved learning, so even though putting him through school was a sacrifice for his family, Gregor made sure he could continue learning. At times this meant Gregor missed meals regularly, as there was not enough money for school and food. Gregor was soon sent to a more rigorous school farther from home and had to board there away from his family. When Gregor was eighteen, his father broke his back, and any financial support he received from his family was over. But Gregor was resourceful and tutored other students in order to pay his way through school. Still, too often he went without eating. Gregor studied for a couple years at the University of Vienna, learning about science and mathematics, particularly about the scientific method. Finally, his hunger began to demand his attention, and Gregor made the decision to become a monk. At the time Gregor lived in the 1800's, monasteries were great centers of learning and had enough wealth to support scholarly and artistic efforts. Gregor had three square meals a day, plenty of time to study, and many other bright minds with whom to discuss his ideas.
A particularly interesting field of study to Gregor was the science of heredity. What made children like one parent in some ways and like the other parent in other ways? He decided to use what he learned about the scientific method to plan a huge experiment. He grew a variety of peas that exhibited different traits, some green and others yellow, some with smooth seeds and others with wrinkled, and so on. He picked seven different traits to study. Then he grew the peas for some time separately to be sure he had a pure batch of each trait with which to begin his experiment. After a couple years of growing, he was ready to begin in earnest. He intervened in nature's usual course of pollination by cutting off the stamen and manually dusting pollen from a plant with the opposite trait on to the egg cells of the original plant (for example, pollen from a yellow pea plant to pollinate a green pea plant). He did this very carefully with 287 pea plants and tied little bags over the plants to be sure no other pollen got to the egg cells. Then, he had to wait.
When the peas grew, the findings were fascinating! All the peas were yellow, even the ones from the green pea plants. And all the peas were smooth too! Gregor wondered, were the green peas and wrinkled peas gone forever? The next year, he let those plants cross pollinate as they normally do in nature and waited to see what would happen. This time, there were mostly yellow peas, but some green peas, and mostly smooth peas, but some wrinkled peas. Those traits hadn't disappeared, but rather had been hidden for a time! Some traits, like the color yellow, were dominant, while other traits, like the color green, were recessive. But two yellow pea plants that had a recessive or hidden green trait could still produce green peas.
Gregor continued his experiment for eight years, growing 28,000 pea plants in that time. He took careful notes and used mathematics to prove how the traits were passed from parent to child. He gathered his findings and published a research article and spoke at a university about his discovery. Unfortunately, no one seemed to understand that Gregor Mendel had discovered what we now call genes, the vehicle living things use to pass on traits to their offspring. People did not see how this new knowledge could change how they raised livestock and grains, how it could change so many things!
Soon Gregor was called to be the abbot of his abbey, and his new responsibilities took him away from his scientific work. He died without the world knowing what a great discovery he had made. About thirty years later, three men from three different countries came upon the same discovery as Gregor Mendel and happened to find his published research. They were amazed that a friar had already made the discovery!
The study of heredity, or genetics, is field of study still today as we continue to learn how genes affect the hardiness and quality of food crops, the desired traits in animals, and even the survival of species, something that Charles Darwin was writing about at the same time that Gregor Mendel was writing about the genes in his pea plants. We call Gregor Mendel the father of genetics because of his careful research.
Tuesday, April 18, 2017
Plutarch: Publicola, Lesson 1
Publicola by Plutarch
(as read from Anne White's text and study guide)
Lesson 1:
Publicola's full name was _______ Valerius Publicola, and he was first known by the name Valerius, having been named after an ancestor who helped deliver the Romans from tyranny. Publicola lived in the time of King Tarquin (the last of the kings of Rome before the Republic was instituted). King Tarquin came to power by greedy and evil means and treated one of the people, Lucretia, with disrespect and disregard (perhaps as told in Shakespeare's The Rape of Lucretia?). When this same woman killed herself because of her mistreatment, the people were in an uproar, demanding that King Tarquin be removed as king. Publicola found himself, as a generous and influential man of wealth as well as a powerful orator, as one of the two prominent leaders of the rebellion against King Tarquin. The other was Brutus (_______ ________ Brutus), an ancestor of the more famous later Brutus who lived in the time of Julius Caesar. Publicola assumed that Brutus would be the new ruler, as he was the better qualified of the two. However, when the people decided on having two rulers rather than one king, Publicola began to hope that he would be chosen as the second honored one. Instead, the people chose Brutus and the husband of Lucretia as their new leaders, with the reasoning that Lucretia's husband, having a personal hatred for the king, would be least likely to let the king back into control. Publicola felt slighted by this decision, as though his loyalty towards the Republic was in question. He removed himself from public affairs. The people and the two elected consuls were concerned that Publicola might decide to support the kings in the end. However, when Brutus challenged the people to swear an oath of fidelity to the Republic at the marketplace during the time of the sacrifices, Publicola was the first to wholeheartedly do so, putting the fears of the people to rest. And so, Rome changed from an empire to a republic in the year 590 BC.
(as read from Anne White's text and study guide)
Lesson 1:
Publicola's full name was _______ Valerius Publicola, and he was first known by the name Valerius, having been named after an ancestor who helped deliver the Romans from tyranny. Publicola lived in the time of King Tarquin (the last of the kings of Rome before the Republic was instituted). King Tarquin came to power by greedy and evil means and treated one of the people, Lucretia, with disrespect and disregard (perhaps as told in Shakespeare's The Rape of Lucretia?). When this same woman killed herself because of her mistreatment, the people were in an uproar, demanding that King Tarquin be removed as king. Publicola found himself, as a generous and influential man of wealth as well as a powerful orator, as one of the two prominent leaders of the rebellion against King Tarquin. The other was Brutus (_______ ________ Brutus), an ancestor of the more famous later Brutus who lived in the time of Julius Caesar. Publicola assumed that Brutus would be the new ruler, as he was the better qualified of the two. However, when the people decided on having two rulers rather than one king, Publicola began to hope that he would be chosen as the second honored one. Instead, the people chose Brutus and the husband of Lucretia as their new leaders, with the reasoning that Lucretia's husband, having a personal hatred for the king, would be least likely to let the king back into control. Publicola felt slighted by this decision, as though his loyalty towards the Republic was in question. He removed himself from public affairs. The people and the two elected consuls were concerned that Publicola might decide to support the kings in the end. However, when Brutus challenged the people to swear an oath of fidelity to the Republic at the marketplace during the time of the sacrifices, Publicola was the first to wholeheartedly do so, putting the fears of the people to rest. And so, Rome changed from an empire to a republic in the year 590 BC.
Friday, April 14, 2017
Trial and Triumph: Richard Cameron
Trial and Triumph by Richard Hannula
Richard Cameron
In 1680 in a field in Scotland, two groups gathered for battle. The odds were clearly against one side and favored the other. Many English soliders well armed and trained on one side faced a group of about sixty Scottish rebels, mostly farmers and laborers, led by Richard Cameron.
During the reign of Charles II, religious freedom was suppressed and only those submitted to Charles as the head of the church were allowed "freedom." However there was a group of ministers and church members in Scotland who did not accept Charles as their king, They claimed Jesus Christ as the king of their church. Richard Cameron was a young school teacher during this time and happened upon a secret meeting of these rebels. He eventually came to faith in Christ through their ministry. Cameron went on to learn and study in Holland, a place safe and free from persecution. However, he felt called back to Scotland. Before he left Holland, another church leader laid hands on Cameron and prophesied that he would give his life for Christ and that his sacrifice would be shown under the sun and the moon.
Richard Cameron returned to Scotland and declared war against King Charles II, who dared to usurp the place of Christ as head of the church. Cameron and his band of men were on the run and continued to teach and preach for the saving of souls in Scotland. Eventually, King Charles II's men caught up with Cameron and the battle lines were drawn. Cameron encouraged his men to remain brave and faithful to the end, and promised that the gates of heaven awaited them. The army of King Charles was victorious and Cameron and his brother Michael were of those slain. Richard Cameron's head and hands were cut off and put on display to be a lesson to others. Before making a public display, however, King Charles' men, who had Richard Cameron's father imprisoned, brought these gory prizes to prison and paid them on his father's lap. Mr. Cameron bore the news bravely with faith. Men said that Richard Cameron started out praying and preaching and ended praying and fighting.
Richard Cameron
In 1680 in a field in Scotland, two groups gathered for battle. The odds were clearly against one side and favored the other. Many English soliders well armed and trained on one side faced a group of about sixty Scottish rebels, mostly farmers and laborers, led by Richard Cameron.
During the reign of Charles II, religious freedom was suppressed and only those submitted to Charles as the head of the church were allowed "freedom." However there was a group of ministers and church members in Scotland who did not accept Charles as their king, They claimed Jesus Christ as the king of their church. Richard Cameron was a young school teacher during this time and happened upon a secret meeting of these rebels. He eventually came to faith in Christ through their ministry. Cameron went on to learn and study in Holland, a place safe and free from persecution. However, he felt called back to Scotland. Before he left Holland, another church leader laid hands on Cameron and prophesied that he would give his life for Christ and that his sacrifice would be shown under the sun and the moon.
Richard Cameron returned to Scotland and declared war against King Charles II, who dared to usurp the place of Christ as head of the church. Cameron and his band of men were on the run and continued to teach and preach for the saving of souls in Scotland. Eventually, King Charles II's men caught up with Cameron and the battle lines were drawn. Cameron encouraged his men to remain brave and faithful to the end, and promised that the gates of heaven awaited them. The army of King Charles was victorious and Cameron and his brother Michael were of those slain. Richard Cameron's head and hands were cut off and put on display to be a lesson to others. Before making a public display, however, King Charles' men, who had Richard Cameron's father imprisoned, brought these gory prizes to prison and paid them on his father's lap. Mr. Cameron bore the news bravely with faith. Men said that Richard Cameron started out praying and preaching and ended praying and fighting.
Merchant of Venice: Act I, Scene I
Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare
Act I, Scene I
Antonio, sitting under a cloud of unexplained sadness, meets with a few friends who try to guess as to the cause of his long face. Is he in love? Is he worried about his business as a merchant? Antonio will not betray the source of his melancholy. One friend suggests that it is the fashion to be somber and quiet to affect an appearance of wisdom, but that when those pretenders speak, their foolishness betrays them. It appears as though his "friends" are superficially interested in cheering him up, but mostly bent on getting away from his unpleasant presence. They come and go rather quickly during the scene.
One friend, Bassario (?), sticks around longer than the rest, but it turns out the reason is that he needs something from Antonio. Bassario has fallen in love with beautiful Portia of Belmont, but due to some past indiscretions he owes many debts and does not have the money with which to properly woo Portia, who has several others suitors. Bassario asks Antonio if for their friendship's sake he would help in his quest for love. Antonio declares his loyalty to his friend and promises to help in any way he can. Unfortunately his capital is all tied up at sea at the moment, but he believes that merchants in Venice will consider his name good for credit, and urges Bassario to use his credit freely to fund his courtship of Portia.
Act I, Scene I
Antonio, sitting under a cloud of unexplained sadness, meets with a few friends who try to guess as to the cause of his long face. Is he in love? Is he worried about his business as a merchant? Antonio will not betray the source of his melancholy. One friend suggests that it is the fashion to be somber and quiet to affect an appearance of wisdom, but that when those pretenders speak, their foolishness betrays them. It appears as though his "friends" are superficially interested in cheering him up, but mostly bent on getting away from his unpleasant presence. They come and go rather quickly during the scene.
One friend, Bassario (?), sticks around longer than the rest, but it turns out the reason is that he needs something from Antonio. Bassario has fallen in love with beautiful Portia of Belmont, but due to some past indiscretions he owes many debts and does not have the money with which to properly woo Portia, who has several others suitors. Bassario asks Antonio if for their friendship's sake he would help in his quest for love. Antonio declares his loyalty to his friend and promises to help in any way he can. Unfortunately his capital is all tied up at sea at the moment, but he believes that merchants in Venice will consider his name good for credit, and urges Bassario to use his credit freely to fund his courtship of Portia.
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