EXAMINING THE PLAY


Bassanio shows tremendous loyalty and devotion to Antonio during the Trial Scene (Act 4, Scene 1). He offers encouragement to Antonio when Antonio has lost all hope:


Good cheer, Antonio. What, man, courage yet! The Jew shall have my flesh, blood, bones and all Ere thou shalt lose for me one drop of blood. (Act 4, Scene 1, lines 110–112)


He pleads with ‘Balthasar’ to bend the rules in this case and spare Antonio’s life: And I beseech you,


Wrest once the law to your authority. To do a great right, do a little wrong, And curb this cruel devil of his will. (Act 4, Scene 1, lines 212–215)


Bassanio shows his true devotion to Antonio when tells him how dear he is to him. He says that nothing in the world is more important to him than their friendship:


But life itself, my wife, and all the world Are not with me esteemed above thy life. (Act 4, Scene 1, lines 282–283)


When Antonio’s life is spared, Bassanio insists that ‘Balthasar’, the lawyer, takes some form of payment. When ‘Balthasar’ asks for the ring that Portia gave him, he tries to avoid giving it. It is only when Antonio persuades Bassanio that he eventually parts with it:


Let his deservings and my love withal Be valued ’gainst your wife’s commandement. (Antonio, Act 4, Scene 1, lines 450–451)


Finally, in Act 5, Scene 1, Bassanio returns to Belmont with Antonio to be reunited with Portia. He openly admits to Portia that he gave the ring away and begs her to forgive him:


Pardon this fault, and by my soul I swear I never more will break an oath with thee. (Act 5, Scene 1, lines 247–248)


224 The Merchant of Venice


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