Monday, October 29, 2012

What type of charcter is Bassino in "The Merchant of Venice"?

I agree with Anzio, Bassanio is wooing Portia to get her money to be able to live an easy life and to pay back the money he borrowed (with precious little hope of repaying) from Antonio.


Bassanio is a foppish bankrupt aristocrat. The only thing he owns of value is his family name. He obviously thinks he deserves a rich and comfortable life and, because he can't afford one, he lives in off others, stacking debt.


Is he poncing off Antonio? Is he knowingly using his youth and good looks to get money out of a sad, rich, lonely, old homosexual? I think you can certainly read it that way.


So he is not a very moral person, but he's not a deliberately bad person. He's not malicious or wicked. I think he's just a weak, careless character who likes parties and palaces but doesn't want to work for them or think about consequences or responsibilty. I don't think he intends to hurt anyone. BUT, in the end, he drags Antonio into a very dangerous, serious situation.


Basically, he gets very very lucky and 'wins' a vast fortune belonging to his new wife. If Bassanio hadn't won Portia, he'd have probably ended up in court for debts and bankrupty at some point. He'd probably have ended up old and homeless or locked in debtor's prison.


I think I like Bassanio, but I don't in any way admire him. He's a nice guy, but he's not a good one. 

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