To what extent do you agree that friendship is more important than love in act 1 and act 2?

This is an opinion question, so you can feel free to disagree with the idea that friendship is more important than love in these two acts; however, I do believe that friendship is shown as being more important. Bassanio says that he loves Portia and that he wants to woo her in order to make her his wife. Whether you believe that Bassanio is truly in love with her or just in love with the idea of marrying an attractive and rich woman is up to you. In order for Bassanio to pursue Portia, he needs money. Unfortunately, Bassanio is broke at the moment, so he asks Antonio for a loan. Antonio's money is tied up at the moment, but Antonio agrees to take a loan from Shylock in order to help his friend. This is a huge testament to Antonio's friendship because Shylock is known for charging ridiculously high interest rates on his loans.

Shylock, albeit I neither lend nor borrow
By taking nor by giving of excess,
Yet to supply the ripe wants of my friend,
I’ll break a custom.

Additionally, the "pound of flesh" arrangement brings the deal to a whole new level of dangerous. Antonio is a good friend to Bassanio. To Bassanio's credit at this point, Antonio's welfare is more important to him than pursuing Portia. Bassanio tells Antonio to not take the deal. His friend is more important than his pursuit of love.

You shall not seal to such a bond for me!
I’ll rather dwell in my necessity.