Bassanio Quotes Flashcards
‘To you, Antonio, I owe the most in money and in love’
The audience finds out that Bassanio is already in debt to Antonio which makes him seem unreliable. It also establishes a strong relationship between Antonio and Bassanio.
‘In my school days, when I had lost one shaft, I shot his fellow of the self-same flight The self-same way with more advisèd watch To find the other forth, and by adventuring both, I oft found both’
‘To shoot another arrow that self-way Which you did shoot the first, I do not doubt, As I will watch the aim, or to find both Or bring your latter hazard back again’
Bassanio uses an extended metaphor to get Antonio’s monetary assistance. He says that to find one arrow (the money he’s lost), Antonio must fire another arrow in the same direction (lend more). This could also be in reference to Cupid’s arrow as Bassanio spent all of Antonio’s initial money on impressing women but now he wants more of Antonio’s money to spend on impressing Portia.
In Belmont is a lady richly left, And she is fair and, fairer than that word’
Bassanio first comments on the fact that she has a large inheritance which suggests that wealth is the main reason he wishes to marry her.
May you stead me? Will you pleasure me? Shall I know your answer?’
The continuous questioning by Bassanio suggests that he is uncomfortable asking Shylock for money.
‘I live upon the rack’
This alludes to the fact that if Bassanio chooses wrong, then all of Antonio’s sacrifice for the loan would be pointless and he is under mental torture due to this.
‘When I told you my state was nothing, I should have then told you that I was worse than nothing ‘
Bassanio has been hiding his debts till now. This shows that he understands that looks can be misleading. He also shows this understanding in his casket test when he picks the ‘meagre lead’
‘You shall not seal to such a bond for me!
I’ll rather dwell in my necessity.’
A rather more caring side of Bassanio’s character is presented here as he is not willing to put Antonio’s life on the line just for his own benefit. However, the fact that Bassanio does not persist in his request suggests that he has only made the claim to make it seem like requited love.
‘But life itself, my wife, and all the world,
Are not with me esteemed above thy life.’
Eventually, after seeing his dear friend in such a horrible state, Antonio seems to have won over Bassanio’s heart as he is willing to sacrifice Portia to save his friend. This once again represents the homosocial society of the 16th Century.
