Bassanio Flashcards
Bassanio character summary
Nobleman in debt to Antionio. Good-hearted yet irresposible young man, hopes to get out of debt by marrying into wealth. A’s closest friend: Solanio states A “only loves the world for him”
Bassanio quotes: money
“In Belmont is a lady richly left” “she is fair” “her worth” “her sunny locks hang on her temples like a golden fleece” - firstly, mentions her wealth before anything else (wealth–>beauty–>virtues in ascending order of desirability). Semantic field of money, precious only for her materialistic value
“fair” - rich OR white (racism at time) OR beautiful
Bassanio quotes: friendship
Refers to A as “The dearest friend to me, the kindest man” - superlative “dearest” and “kindest” - Shows their friendship and unbreakable bond
“The Jew shall have my flesh” - B showing how desperate he is to save A (he will give every single part of his body before letting Shy spill any of A’s blood)
“Life itself, my wife, and all the world…I would lose all…to deliver you” - B would give anything & everything (including wife) to save A. LOVE or FRIENDSHIP
Bassanio: structure
Speaks in iambic pentameter when addressing A abot money problems - persuasive, repetitive rhyming shows repeated occassions of B asking for money
