Bring out the importance of character and role of bassanio in merchant of venice
Answers
Explanation:
Bassanio is an important character in the play, though by no means the central one. That distinction goes to either Portia or Shylock.
Bassanio is shown as a spendthrift who depends on his best friend Antonio to live a life beyond his meagre means. Bassanio first looks at Portia as the means to rid himself of all his financial obligations, which is his main concern. It is owing to Bassanio that his best friend puts his life at risk. It is owing to Bassanio’s fault that his wife Portia feels obliged to disguise herself as a lawyer and save such a friend as Antonio, whom she has never met.
One can say that Bassanio is responsible for the main action that takes place in the drama. One is almost tempted to label him 'shameless'!
However, Bassanio as a person is good at heart. He treats his servants well. He permits the crude and talkative Gratiano to accompany him to Belmont. He shows distress on reading the contents of Antonio's letter at Belmont. On Portia's instructions, he willingly sets off from Belmont for Venice to save his closest friend, on his marriage day. In the court of law at Venice, he says he is ready to sacrifice anything to save Antonio. Finally, at his best friend's behest, he parts with the ring that he values so much.
Hence, though a happy-go-lucky spendthrift, Bassanio is a true friend and a romantic.
Answer:
Bassanio, the romantic hero of the play, is someone who cannot handle his finances. Bassanio is a very lavish and extravagant character in the play who doesn’t think about the future and only thinks about the present. He enjoys life to the fullest and doesn’t hesitate in spending money. His character is not justifiable according to today’s means but it’s justifiable according to the Elizabethan era.
The Elizabethan era is the golden era which was very prosperous to all, hence Bassanio was not the only Venetian spending big ducats and not understanding the value of money. There was a time when Bassanio was left with no money for him to even go and meet Portia and be one of the people to hold rival positions to win her. Bassanio immediately turned towards Antonio’s help. This shows the reason for Bassanio’s carefree spending; he was confident enough that his wealthy friend would be there to help him.
Although Bassanio went to Antonio for money, in troubles he never thought of Antonio as the friend he uses and throws and this can be seen when Bassanio warns Antonio not to accept the bond of shylock and it can also be seen when he goes to free Antonio from the bond to the court. His loyalty and love towards Antonio are so much that he parts with his ring which he swore to never part with since Portia gave it. Bassanio gives away the ring without hesitation to the lawyer who saved Antonio’s life when Antonio says to do so.
Although his love and loyalty towards Antonio is much more than that towards Portia, Bassanio is actually someone who deserves her. Bassanio’s love for the rich heiress Portia, though appears to be mercenary at the beginning, develops into true love later in the play. His nobility and character is evident in the correct choice of casket. Bassanio choosing the lead casket proves us he does not like Portia for her looks or for her money and riches he likes her for herself.
Without Bassanio, Morocco and Arragon would not be significant; they indicate the two types of people who come to win a hand of a fair lady — one who does for her looks and the other who does for her money.
Bassanio’s happy-go-lucky nature is a sharp contrast to that of Antonio’s melancholic one. At the beginning of the play, Bassanio seems to be a spendthrift adventurer, a fortune hunter and a frivolous youth, but later on he proves to be a profound lover and a loyal friend.