In Venice, Bassanio, a charming and handsome young man, tells his good friend Antiono that he wants to marry Portia, a beautiful and wealthy woman of Belmont, but that he needs three thousand ducats-an enormous sum of money-to make a proper impression. Antonio offers to secure a loan on Bassanio's behalf. In Belmont, Portia laments the terms of her father's will, which give her no power over who she will marry. Suitors must choose between three chests-one gold, one silver, and one lead-and she must marry the man that picks the chest containing her picture.