Bassanio

Play

The Merchant of Venice

Summary

Bassanio is a young Venetian gentleman, a spendthrift by nature, and Antonio's closest friend. He borrows money from Antonio (who in turn borrows from Shylock) to finance his courtship of the wealthy Portia at Belmont. He correctly chooses the humble lead casket over the more attractive gold and silver ones, winning Portia's hand. The ring plot at the play's end — in which Portia (disguised as Balthasar) extracts his ring as payment — tests his loyalty with gentle irony. His warmth and genuine feeling for both Antonio and Portia redeem his somewhat mercenary motivation.

Notable Quotations

"So may the outward shows be least themselves; / The world is still deceived with ornament." *(III.ii, choosing the casket)*

"In Belmont is a lady richly left, / And she is fair, and, fairer than that word, / Of wondrous virtues." *(I.i)*

Cross-references

• The Merchant of Venice — the play
• Comedies — genre
• character_portia — the lady of Belmont he courts and wins
• character_antonio_mov — his loyal friend who provides the bond
• character_shylock — the moneylender whose bond endangers Antonio
• character_gratiano — his companion and friend