Bassanio in Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare

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Bassanio in Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare Throughout the play, Bassanio's main focus has been his quest to Belmont in bid to attempt and succeed in the casket challenge laid by Portia's father. Primarily, Shakespeare presents Bassanio to the audience as being motivated in his aim by the fact that Portia is a lady "richly left". This is shown by the order in which he describes the features of Portia that makes attracts him to her. "In Belmont is a lady richly left, and she is fair, and fairer than that word". However, Bassanio differs from Portia's other suitors, as Portia actually displays interest for him. He also receives a good report from the messenger at the end of Act 2 Scene 9 before he enters unlike the other two suitors. "Madam, there is alighted at your gate a young Venetian…I have not seen so likely an ambassador of love". Nevertheless, in Venice, Bassanio is presented as being initially focused upon Portia's money, but Shakespeare presents Bassanio differently in Belmont. There is mutual anxiety between Portia and Bassanio, even though they disagree when the casket challenge should begin. When Portia critically questions Bassanio's methods, Bassanio describes the true love that is shared between the two, and his words dissolve Portia's worries. "O happy torment, when my torturer doth teach me answers for deliverance but let me to my fortune and the caskets". When Bassanio begins to justify the choice of his casket, the audience is presented with a man who is deeply in love with Portia. This presentation by Shakespeare encourages the audience to view Bassanio's motives as sincere and genuine, indicating that i... ... middle of paper ... ...as outsiders, both are presented with differing aspects that can allow interpretation to argue to statements. For example, even though Shylock hates the Christians within Venice, he lives and works within Venice, and also trades with Venetians as well as obeying Venetian law, as shown by the trial. "The strict court of Venice must needs give sentence 'gainst the merchant there". Conversely, Antonio's unconditionally trust and love for Bassanio, shown by Antonio's plea prior to his sentencing in the court scene. "Repent but you that you shall lose your friend and he repents not that he pays your debt". Both these aspects present differing aspects of the character, which shows how Shakespeare constantly changes his, portray of his key characters in order to allow varying interpretations and understandings of the men.

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