Bassanio
No.
1.
Done by Ng Yau Xuan 2I1(13) 10th August 2009
Trait, Changes
Quotations to support
Bassanio is valuable as a
good friend to Antonio
and he is in the
innermost circle of
friends Antonio has –
Antonio and him have a
strong bond between
them.
“Bassanio told [Antonio] he would make some speed/ [o]f
his return,” knowing that he meant a lot to Antonio (i.e.
his presence would leave Antonio devastated). –Pg 143
Bassanio was willing to have “[Shylock] … have [his]
flesh, blood, bones and all, / [before] [Antonio] … lose[s]
for [him] one drop of blood.”, thus the affection (as
friends) between them is extremely strong. – Pg 237
Antonio wrote a letter to Bassanio, hoping for him to
return to Venice to see him as he was about to be arrested
by the “gaoler” for not being able to return the money to
Shylock (as stated in the bond). He hoped that
“[Bassanio’s] love … persuades [him] to return to Venice,
[and] not [his] letter”. This shows that Antonio wants
Bassanio’s presence in Venice just because Bassanio is a
good friend to him (and not out of obligation).
2.
3.
At the beginning of the
play, he seemed more of
a spendthrift that took
advantage of his good
friendship
between
Antonio to get money to
spend in the past, since
Antonio is considered a
“royal merchant”.
Bassanio gradually was
developed into a gallant
character, which is one
of the characteristics
Portia like of him.
Bassanio felt that “[he] owe the most in money and in
love [to Antonio]”, meaning he has borrowed money
from Antonio for his own interests.
He was “[forced to cut down his style of living]/ [f]rom
such a noble rate” and he owes others “great debts/,
[which] in [his youths] [is] something too prodigal, /
[h]a[ve] left [him] gagged”. It can be inferred that he has
spend much money just to prove himself as one which is
from a different class.
Nerissa remember Bassanio him as a worthy suitor as he
was “a scholar and a soldier”. He was also, “of all the men
that ever [her]/ …eyes looked upon,… the best deserving
a fair/lady” like Portia. Even Portia “remember[s] him
well … worthy of [Nerissa’s] praise”.
Bassanio had the moral courage to choose the lead casket
instead of the other two caskets, especially when those
caskets appeal tempting to many wooers. He knows that
those caskets are “so tainted and corrupt, /[b]ut being
seasoned with a gracious voice”, meaning that he knows
the silver and lead caskets being “evil” inside, with a good
outward appearance.
4.
Bassanio is extremely
loyal towards others,
especially those very
close to him, i.e.
Antonio, his best friend,
and Portia, his lover. He
remembers them at all
times and is careful not
to betray them.
Bassanio shows that though Antonio was important to
him, he did not forget Portia just to repay Portia (dressed
as Balthasar- Bassanio does not know he is Portia.) for
saving Antonio’s life. Balthasar requested for the ring
Portia gave him, but Bassanio knew that “this ring was
given [to him] by [his] wife,/ [a]nd when she put it on
she made [him] vow/ [t]hat [he] should neither sell, nor
give, nor lose it.” Bassanio tried to keep that promise
towards Portia.
However, Bassanio is more loyal towards Antonio than
Portia. One reason being he eventually gave the ring to
Balthasar. Another being that he said to Antonio “life
itself, [his] wife, and all the world/ [a]re not … esteemed
above [Antonio’s] life.” This means that “[he] would lose
all [of that which is important to him]…to [Shylock], to
deliver [Antonio]” or to let Antonio survive.
5.
Bassanio eventually was
portrayed as a emotional
and sensitive character
to his friends and Portia.
Upon reading the “[hurtful] contents” in Antonio’s letter,
the “colour from Bassanio’s cheek [faded]”, which led to
Portia into thinking that “nothing [else] in the world
[other than the news of Antonio’s plight]/ [c]ould turn …
the constitution/ [o]f any constant man” like Bassanio.
This means that Bassanio was extremely shocked upon
hearing such news about Antonio.
When Bassanio returned to Belmont, he was extremely
anxious to explain towards to Portia why he had lost the
ring to Balthasar. He did not want Portia to get angry
with him and quickly explained that” “by his honour
[and] [b]y [his] soul/ [n]o woman had it, but a civil
doctor” or Balthasar the lawyer.