GRATIANO You that choose not by the view, ALL Or in the heart, or in the head? 47. Her name is Portia, nothing undervalued To Cato’s daughter, Brutus' Portia (1.1.163–168). When it is paid, bring your true friend along. The play also emphasizes the sincere love of Bassanio for Portia. Shakespeare. BASSANIO Turn you where your lady is He explains that this new suitor appears polite, wealthy, and shows great promise as deserving of Portia’s love. Then, if he lose, he makes a swan-like end, pleasure: if your love do not persuade you to come, GRATIANO Portia. But let me hear the letter of your friend. And every word in it a gaping wound, He may win; PORTIA O, these naughty times With all my heart, so thou canst get a wife. The Merchant of Venice The play The Merchant of Venice is a comedy about a man named Bassanio who wants to travel to Belmont to try and win the love of a rich, beautiful and intelligent heiress, names Portia. Bassanio didn't come to woo Portia purely out of love, or that Portia wasn't able to choose her lover freely. Our feast shall be much honour'd in your marriage. Portia Quotes. The substance of my praise doth wrong this shadow With no less presence, but with much more love, To render them redoubted! I lose your company: therefore forbear awhile. Bassanio. In law, what plea so tainted and corrupt, Are yours, my lord: I give them with this ring; Engaged my friend to his mere enemy, I speak too long; but 'tis to peize the time, What, not one hit? That this same paper brings you. Chance as fair and choose as true! Not one, my lord. Fare ye well: / We leave you now with better company" (i. i. Upon supposed fairness, often known Than any that draws breath in Italy. When I told you It's a lot easier to appreciate the nobility of Antonio's sacrifice for Bassanio when he isn't crying about it or busy pointing out that he deserves thanks for it. Josephy Pequigney analyzes this relationship between the three characters. PORTIA Portia accepted the ring from Bassanio when she was disguised as Balthazar. Rating myself at nothing, you shall see O happy torment, when my torturer doth teach me answers for deliverance! It is engender'd in the eyes, Doth limp behind the substance. Of her beauty, we need no convincing. And doth impeach the freedom of the state, Of this fair mansion, master of my servants, Yes, faith, my lord. Therefore, thou gaudy gold, Join today and never see them again. To entrap the wisest. Our first clue to this is in the first scene when, in conversation with Antonio, Solanio says, "Here comes Bassanio, your most noble kinsman, / Gratiano, and Lorenzo. III,2,1399. PORTIA I remember him well, and I remember him worthy of thy praise. For wooing here until I sweat again, Portia: You see me, lord Bassanio, where I stand, such as I am. III,2,1396. After Bassanio picks the correct box, Portia responds to his outpouring of loving accolades by explaining that she wishes she were more worthy of his love. PORTIA (aside) How all the other passions fleet to air, As doubtful thoughts, and rash-embrac'd despair... Portia is again overcome with love, but this time she knows Bassanio will actually be her husband (since he's chosen the right casket). [Opening the leaden casket] Famous Quotes; Film Versions; Essay Questions; Cite this Literature Note ; Character Analysis Bassanio Bassanio's character is more fully drawn than Antonio's, but it does not possess the powerful individuality that Shakespeare gives to his portraits of Portia and Shylock. Bassanio has his friend Antonio borrow money from a Jewish money lender for him so that he could travel to Belmont. Bassanio (Act 1, Scene 1) “With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come.” Gratiano (Act 1, Scene 1) “If to do were as easy as to know what were good to do, chapels had been churches, and poor men’s cottages princes’ palaces.” Portia (Act 1, Scene 2) “God made him, and therefore let him pass for a … Antonio to Bassanio “Say how I loved you, speak me fair in death; and when the tale is told, bid her be judge whether Bassanio had not once a love.” Portia to Shylock “But in the cutting it if thou dost shed one drop of Christian blood, thy lands and goods are by the laws of Venice confiscate unto the state of Venice.” Portia to Bassanio My maid Nerissa and myself meantime Well then, confess and live. O love. To pay the petty debt twenty times over: I would not be ambitious in my wish, The paper as the body of my friend, Fair Portia's counterfeit! SALERIO That ever blotted paper! Unlock these features. When I was with him I have heard him swear Each of these allusions is to a love story that ended in betrayal or grief. cottages princes’ palaces. III,2,1702. See all. Go, Hercules! Let us all ring fancy's knell To the sea-monster: I stand for sacrifice LORENZO My lord Bassanio and my gentle lady, The stakes are as high as possible. Well then, confess and live. Choose correctly and Bassanio wins Portia, her love and money and thus the the ability to pay back the debt to Shylock. III,2,1693 [Reads] Sweet Bassanio, my ships have all miscarried, my creditors grow cruel, my estate is... 46. May stand more proper, my eye shall be the stream Since you are dear bought, I will love you dear. I thank your honour. Antonio is a sacrificial epitome. Reply, reply. Turns to a wild of nothing, save of joy, First go with me to church and call me wife, For the first time, Portia is more than obediently committed to her father's wishes—love has driven her to consider her own feelings first. character. The best-condition'd and unwearied spirit So will I never be: so may you miss me; A creature, that did bear the shape of man, Faster than gnats in cobwebs; but her eyes,-- In doing courtesies, and one in whom 806 8067 22 Registered Office: International House, Queens Road, Brighton, BN1 3XE, Taking a break or withdrawing from your course, Merchant of Venice - Love Quotes between Portia and Bassanio, and Jessica and Lorenzo. GRATIANO He's just praised Jessica for being beautiful, though; she's got her father's money, which seems as important to Lorenzo as the girl herself. With leave, Bassanio: I am half yourself, We are the Jasons, we have won the fleece. For my part, my lord. Bassanio, equally in love, insists on getting the challenge over with. O love, dispatch all business, and be gone! We can see this from instances in the play , like when he praises her for her beauty in the picture and in front of Antonio. As the scroll inside the lead casket explains, “You that choose not by the view / Chance as fair and choose as true” (III.ii.135-136). No, Bassanio was not fully a fortune seeker. In underprizing it, so far this shadow NERISSA Obscures the show of evil? For fear I surfeit. But when this ring Before you venture for me. How much I was a braggart. Newsletter. BASSANIO The present money to discharge the Jew, Besides, it should appear, that if he had If one were to examine Bassanio's description of Portia, he … To come with him along. O happy torment, when my torturer doth teach me answers for deliverance! The Merchant of Venice. If you do love me, you will find me out”. What, worse and worse! Which rather threatenest than dost promise aught, In measure rein thy joy; scant this excess. Should sunder such sweet friends. O sweet Portia, It's certain that Portia will turn Bassanio's attention away from Antonio. The rest aloof are the Dardanian wives, Which makes me fear the enjoying of my love:... 32. BASSANIO Bid your friends welcome, show a merry cheer: Our house is hell and thou, a merry devil... Jessica seems to be lacking in familial love toward her father. The ancient Roman honour more appears SCENE II. In Act 5, Lorenzo and Jessica compare themselves to: Aeson, Dido, Thisby and Troilus. Seem they in motion? The duke himself, and the magnificoes A gentle scroll. Where men enforced do speak anything. To a new-crowned monarch: such it is Is an unlesson'd girl, unschool'd, unpractised; SALERIO I feel too much thy blessing: make it less, BASSANIO BASSANIO Some mark of virtue on his outward parts: Had been the very sum of my confession: Promise me life, and I'll confess the truth. Since I have your good leave to go away, How begot, how nourished? But Portia's earnest sentiments make the audience consider that her love is real, not counterfeit. 'Tween snow and fire, as treason and my love. BASSANIO PORTIA Six of the best book quotes from Portia #1 “The brain may devise laws for the blood, but a hot temper leaps o’er a cold decree.” author. Parted with sugar breath: so sweet a bar How many cowards, whose hearts are all as false Live thou, I live: with much, much more dismay Let me choose Is this true, Nerissa? I would you had won the fleece that he hath lost. Portia: Well then, confess and live. Nor none of thee, thou pale and common drudge Will live as maids and widows. Success! The beards of Hercules and frowning Mars; PORTIA (And bear in mind that Nerissa's betrothal to Gratziano was also based upon Bassanio's success). SONG. Isolation; Friendship; Marriage; Love; Wealth; Race; Choices; Justice; Translations; Flashcards; Quizzes; Write Essay; Teaching; Tired of ads? They are entirely welcome. With oaths of love, at last, if promise last, Upon the rack, Bassanio! From Lisbon, Barbary and India? Where every something, being blent together, We'll play with them the first boy for a thousand ducats. — "Tell me where is fancy (infatuation or love) bred" is the first line of the song the musicians sing upon Portia's order that music be played while Bassanio makes his choice. III,2,1398. Facts we learn about Gratiano at the start of the play: He lives in Venice. Methinks it should have power to steal both his Before you hazard; for, in choosing wrong. Salerio arrives from Venice with a message for Bassanio: Antonio is bankrupt and Shylock is demanding his pound of flesh in keeping with their bargain. Quotes. SALERIO And when your honours mean to solemnize No; we shall ne'er win at that sport, and stake down. PORTIA I would detain you here some month or two ‘once more’, because he had borrowed some money already from Antonio, which he has not been able to return because of his extravagant, lavish and lordly way of living. Of greatest port, have all persuaded with him; PORTIA For me three thousand ducats. Despite being a rich heiress courted by royalty from around the world, Portia expresses her desire to improve and learn. Or whether, riding on the balls of mine, BASSANIO So keen and greedy to confound a man: They have o'erlook'd me and divided me; Like one of two contending in a prize, But Portia's earnest sentiments make the audience consider that her love is real, not counterfeit. I wish you all the joy that you can wish; And these assume but valour's excrement Bassanio: [confirming her love to him] Like one of two contending in a prize That thinks he has done well in people's eyes Hearing applause and universal shout Giddy in spirit, still gazing in a doubt As doubtful whether what I see be true Until confirmed, signed, ratified... by you . A thousand times more fair, ten thousand times more rich; Doth teach me answers for deliverance! Portia’s final words to Bassanio before he chooses begin with: “Away then, I am locked in one of them. She would hate herself for defying her father, but she'd also hate herself if Bassanio lost the lottery. Exeunt. Which make such wanton gambols with the wind, I might in virtue, beauties, livings, friends, For example, before Bassanio had the opportunity of choosing a casket, Portia considered him “worthy of thy praise” (I.ii.308-309). having made one, Nerissa and the rest, stand all aloof. When I did first impart my love to you, Let fortune go to hell for it, not I. Portia confesses her love to Bassanio and asks him to put off taking her father’s challenge so that he can’t lose at it. PORTIA But, being seasoned with a gracious voice, Making them lightest that wear most of it: Thus ornament is but the guiled shore BASSANIO Of forfeiture, of justice and his bond. He plies the duke at morning and at night, That steals the colour from Bassanio's cheek: With leave, Bassanio: I am half yourself. PORTIA For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one: ). Hate counsels not in such a quality. BASSANIO thank your lordship, you have got me one. I would not lose you; and you know yourself, My purpose was not to have seen you here; So do I, my lord: My lord and lady, it is now our time, I pray you, tell me how my good friend doth. O love, dispatch all business, and be gone! PORTIA Get started + This is a premium product. Once Antonio is alone with Bassanio, the conversation becomes more intimate, and Antonio offers an indebted Bassanio "My purse, my person, my extremest means" (137). And hold your fortune for your bliss, At the start of the play we learn that Portia and Bassanio have met before and that they like each other. With gazing fed; and fancy dies To cry, good joy: good joy, my lord and lady! Inside the casket is Portia’s picture and a note declaring him the winner. Ding, dong, bell. Some dear friend dead; else nothing in the world If you do love me, you will find me out. Be moderate; allay thy ecstasy, Shakespeare has made it clear that the path to Bassanio’s heterosexual love cannot seperate itself from Antonio’s homosexual love. Portia: Well then, confess and live. In act 1 scene 1, Bassanio had come to Antonio to borrow money (3000 ducats) once more which will furnish him with the necessities required to go to Belmont to woo Portia. Portia’s love for Bassanio is obvious and she makes little attempt at neutrality. Portia is reduced to an object because of wealth and gender. Come, away! Hard food for Midas, I will none of thee; Bassanio Quotes in The Merchant of Venice. The continent and summary of my fortune. Bassanio's words are enough; thus we turn to her love for Bassanio. Portia Quotes. Before a friend of this description Exceed account; but the full sum of me To a most dangerous sea; the beauteous scarf Myself and what is mine to you and yours Gratiano accompanies Bassanio to Belmont and falls in love with Nerissa, Portia’s waiting woman. Whether these pearls of praise be his or no; “How far that little candle throws his beams! Portia, who has already fallen in love with Bassanio, is … Portia reveals the trick and gives Antonio a letter informing him that his fortunes have taken a turn for the better. miscarried, my creditors grow cruel, my estate is Move these eyes? It seems Bassanio is Antonio's whole world. Gratiano is a Venetian man who is friends with Bassanio and Antonio. Commits itself to yours to be directed, Giddy in spirit, still gazing in a doubt That I was worse than nothing; for, indeed, Will bless it and approve it with a text, But Portia's earnest sentiments make the audience consider that her love is real, not counterfeit. That he did owe him: and I know, my lord, Nerissa, cheer yon stranger; bid her welcome. © Copyright The Student Room 2017 all rights reserved. And I must freely have the half of anything None but that ugly treason of mistrust, What's in a name? What find I here? Than young Alcides, when he did redeem The dearest friend to me, the kindest man, How doth that royal merchant, good Antonio? Express'd and not express'd. 45. Bassanio: "Confess and love" Had been the very sum of my confession. I come by note, to give and to receive. And there is such confusion in my powers, Fading in music: that the comparison very low, my bond to the Jew is forfeit; and since But let me to my fortune and the caskets. Let music sound while he doth make his choice; So may the outward shows be least themselves: And shuddering fear, and green-eyed jealousy! O love, With an unquiet soul. Of merchant-marring rocks? Portia Quotes. I did, my lord; Bassanio, in this instance is portrayed as being shallow and narrow minded, believing that Portia would only be interested in him due to his monetary value. I bid my very friends and countrymen, Madam, you have bereft me of all words, If you be well pleased with this The issue of the exploit. He is renowned for his wild and boisterous behaviour and heavily insults Shylock at the start of the play. Even as the flourish when true subjects bow He seems to see his quest for Portia as a quest for fortune rather than love. Until confirm'd, sign'd, ratified by you. Parts from this finger, then parts life from hence: Sweet Portia, welcome. The Bassanio Heights refers to the large area above the cliffs overlooking the Portia plains and the Collapsed Wasteland, separated from the Eufaula Heights by the Portia River. 'Tween man and man: but thou, thou meagre lead, Look on beauty, Is now converted: but now I was the lord You see me, Lord Bassanio, where I stand, One half of me is yours, the other half yours, Thy paleness moves me more than eloquence; But none can drive him from the envious plea It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.”. And so did mine too, as the matter falls; A nobleman from Venice, who is a kinsman, close friend, and longtime debtor of the merchant, Antonio.Because he wants to woo the noble Portia, but cannot himself afford to do so, Bassanio borrows 3000 ducats from Shylock, with Antonio as his guarantor.His status as Portia's suitor and, later, her husband, makes Bassanio the romantic hero of the play. see you at my death. Which when you part from, lose, or give away, Your fortune stood upon the casket there, By your leave, The agreement made between Bassanio and Nerissa (in the "secret pilgrimage" mentioned in 1.1) was this: if Portia fell in love with him (Bassanio) then she (Nerissa) would help Bassanio with the lottery. But lest you should not understand me well,-- From Tripolis, from Mexico and England, Which makes me fear the enjoying of my love: Though for myself alone I would not be ambitious in my wish to wish myself much better, yet for you, I would be treble twenty times myself. He lends his money to the needy with interest charges. Than twenty times the value of the sum I have engaged myself to a dear friend, The world is still deceived with ornament. A golden mesh to entrap the hearts of men, Yet look, how far Happiest of all is that her gentle spirit Away, then! What, and stake down? Here is a letter, lady; IV,1,1995 . Enter BASSANIO, PORTIA, GRATIANO, NERISSA, and Attendants But let me to my fortune and the caskets. He would not take it. As doubtful whether what I see be true, The Student Room, Get Revising and Marked by Teachers are trading names of The Student Room Group Ltd. Register Number: 04666380 (England and Wales), VAT No. And be my vantage to exclaim on you. For I am sure you can wish none from me: And then I told you true: and yet, dear lady, That thinks he hath done well in people's eyes, That I had been forsworn. Portia gives him a ring, which he promises never to take off. BASSANIO And summon him to marriage. A messenger announces to Portia the arrival of a new suitor, describing him with hope. He was really in love with Portia . He dismisses the gold and silver caskets and chooses the lead one. Veiling an Indian beauty; in a word, BASSANIO I will make haste: but, till I come again, And yet a maiden hath no tongue but thought,-- There is no vice so simple but assumes 57-59). Signior Antonio 35. She intelligently commands that music be played whilst Bassanio makes his choice. Fair lady, by your leave; Portia confesses her love to Bassanio and asks him to put off taking her father’s challenge so that he can’t lose at it. Hearing applause and universal shout, LORENZO Beshrew me but I love her heartily, For she is wise, if I can judge of her. I thank your honour. That only to stand high in your account, And claim her with a loving kiss. WOW Industries and the Portia Falls can be found here, and the Bassanio Heights even provide a view of the Somber Marsh. To wish myself much better; yet, for you let not my letter. What sum owes he the Jew? And then away to Venice to your friend; Then music is He won’t lose her beloved at any cost. And watery death-bed for him. Bassanio and Gratiano, shamefaced, struggle to explain. How to choose right, but I am then forsworn; NERISSA And you shall see 'tis purchased by the weight; Here are sever'd lips, While it could be argued that Bassanio and Portia are not really in love, there are several parts in the play in which someone could argue that they are indeed in love with one another. An illustration of the interplay of class and gender. Belmont. It's a loaded set of references, especially when contrasted with the light, joking way Lorenzo and Jessica compare themselves to the lovers they've listed. And what is music then? What demi-god For never shall you lie by Portia's side To have her love, provided that your fortune PORTIA Before you hazard; for, in choosing wrong, I lose your company; therefore forbear a while. Here's the scroll, But she may learn; happier than this, Your hand, Salerio: what's the news from Venice? I pray you, tarry: pause a day or two By a beloved prince, there doth appear 33. I could teach you Hath come so near creation? With bleared visages, come forth to view Here in her hairs Could turn so much the constitution The quality of mercy is not strained . PORTIA No rest be interposer 'twixt us twain. III,2,1405. Shall lose a hair through Bassanio's fault. PORTIA You see me, Lord Bassanio, where I stand, Such as I am. SALERIO And sweating until my very roof was dry I got a promise of this fair one here BASSANIO I freely told you, all the wealth I had Bassanio later states that Antonio was more important than his wife. The stakes are as high as possible. In connection with mercy and generosity, The Merchant of Venice also explores love and friendship between its characters. I'll begin it,--Ding, dong, bell. And do you, Gratiano, mean good faith? As after some oration fairly spoke A thousand times more fair, ten thousand times more rich, that only to stand high in your account, I might in virtues, beauties, livings, friends, exceed account. then confess My state was nothing, I should then have told you While it could be argued that Bassanio and Portia are not really in love, there are several parts in the play in which someone could argue that they are indeed in love with one another. PORTIA Sacrifice is another theme which is reflected in the play. [Aside] How all the other passions fleet to air, Ay, but I fear you speak upon the rack, Bassanio has his friend Antonio borrow money from a Jewish money lender for him so that he could travel to Belmont. That makest the fray the continent and summary of my fortune and the.! Him so that he could travel to Belmont and Falls in love, which he never... Portia gives him a ring, which can only mean one thing… here. 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Have got me one worthy of thy praise the challenge over with the challenge with.