bassanio Flashcards
who is he
a soldier and scholar who has spent his inheritance
what does he break
his oath to portia
how does he show his worth
by choosing the right casket
what shows that he is motivated by love and not greed
his rejection of gold and silver for ‘meagre lead’ shows he is genuine and a worthy winnder of portias hand in marriage.
what shoes he is motivated by greed
he has spoken of marriage to portia as a way to ‘get clear of all debts’
“I have disabled mine estate…”
Admits he’s blown all his money — good for showing Bassanio as flawed, impulsive, and perhaps irresponsible.
“But when this ring parts from this finger, then parts life from hence.”
Devotion to Portia (ironic!)
“To you, Antonio, I owe the most in money”
Reliant on others, status-driven
“In Belmont is a lady richly left
The first thing he mentions is that she’s “richly left” — meaning she’s inherited a great fortune. Only after that does he talk about her beauty and virtues.
