What kind of a person is Bassanio? What is meant by-
‘disabled mine estate’?
Answers
Bassanio is Antonio's best pal and the lucky guy who lands Portia, the richest and cutest girl in Belmont.
The thing to know about Bassanio is that he loves his lavish lifestyle, but he's really bad with money, which is why he ends up borrowing from Shylock. When we meet Bassanio, one of the first things out of his mouth is:
Tis not unknown to you, Antonio,
How much I have disabled mine estate
By something showing a more swelling port
Than my faint means would grant continuance (1.1.129-132)
Translation: "Everyone knows I live way beyond my means and have blown all my money." Not only that, but Bassanio's spending has buried him under a big pile of debt and he's hoping to pay it all off. When he says "To you, Antonio, / I owe the most in money and in love" (1.1.137-138), it becomes pretty clear that Bassanio has been sponging off his rich BFF. And even though Bassanio says he loves Antonio, Bassanio looks, sounds, and smells like a big user, the kind of guy willing to take as much as his generous friend has to offer. (The 90's R&B girl group.
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