Portia and Bassanio in William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice

Portia and Bassanio in William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice

“The Merchant of Venice” is a Shakespearean play based on the themes

of friendship, racial prejudice, deceptive appearances and love, of

which the most romantic is the love between Portia and Bassanio. In

contrast, the other two couples - Lorenzo and Jessica, Gratiano and

Nerissa – exhibit playful or down-to-earth love.

Portia is as faultless as one could imagine. She is blessed with

beauty, heavenly qualities surpassing all other women on Earth and

moreover “richly left”. Portia’s image is consistent as a goddess, an

angel. However, she is by no means the “unlessoned girl, unschooled,

unpractised” which she claims to be, but is on the contrary

“sophisticated, educated and intelligent”. Throughout the play, she

exhibits wit, resourcefulness, complete love for Bassanio and

generosity towards friends. Her prejudice towards Jews and foreigners

is probably one of the only blemish to her otherwise perfect

character.

Compared to Portia, Bassanio is only a normal citizen in Venice who

has “disabled mine estate/by something showing a more swelling port”.

However, his dashing and daring character complements his romantic

role as a chivalrous suitor to the fair Portia. He is a spendthrift

that as soon as he gets the money he needs, he immediately organises

expensive evening’s entertainment for himself and his friends. His

lavishness and carefree personality is also evident from the way he

agrees to help Gratiano (“You have obtained it”), without knowing what

the favour is. However, to view him as shallow is probably harsh,

unfair and also inappropriate as it was not...

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...’s motive for wooing

Portia is to pay off his debts referring the trip to Belmont to woo

Portia as a “secret pilgrimage”, thus making Portia into a goddess.

Bassanio’s loyalty and responsibility is once again emphasised in the

trial scene, where he refuses to give away his wedding ring. He is

also quick to ask for Portia’s forgiveness when he returned to Belmont

from Venice.

In conclusion, Portia and Bassanio is a compatible couple, sharing

many similar qualities – intelligence, affectionate, sensitive, loyal,

generous, and devoted to each other. Their relationship typifies ideal

love and involves self-sacrificing, sharing, humility and devotion.

Despite her submissive and humble attitude towards Bassanio, Portia

proves to be a little more superior of the two and is capable of being

a strong adversary to her foe.