Tendencies in Relationships: The Uncertainties and the Advisors

This is the first time I have read The Merchant of Venice, and in the first act, I am noticing similarities in character tendencies and relationships. The relationship between Antonio and Bassanio is similar to the relationship between Portia and Nerissa; both Antonio and Portia seem to be uncertain characters, while Bassanio and Nerissa act as the advisors to Antonio and Bassanio.

Antonio is unsure of the reasoning for his recent feelings, while Portia is unsure of her best action and decisions—specifically regarding marriage. Antonio actually opens the play with the line “In sooth, I know not why I am so sad” (1.1 1). He cannot find the cause of his sadness, or at least is unwilling to admit the reasoning (perhaps even to himself). Portia, on the other hand, describes the difficulties of choosing the best option—she is uncertain of not only what is the best choice for her personally, but also uncertain of how people are able to label one thing better than another. She says to Nerissa: “If to do were as easy to know what were good to do,/chapels had been churches, and poor men’s cottages princes’/palaces. It is a good divine that follows his own instructions./I can easier teach twenty what were good to be done than to/be one of the twenty to follow my own teaching” (1.3 11-15). Here, Portia explains that it is always best to do what one feels best for him/herself, but also that it is always easier to see the supposedly best decision for another. She is torn between deciding for herself and following the advice of “wiser” people. As for her husband, she is uncertain of whom she would like, yet is faced with difficulties: “I may neither choose who I would nor refuse who I/dislike” (1.3 20-21). She has no choice, and is confused at her father’s reasoning. How can wisdom or reasoning overpower the feelings of the bride-to-be when selecting a husband?

Bassanio believes he pinpoints the cause of Antonio’s sadness, and then takes action to attempt to help him. Nerissa listens to Portia and attempts to ease and comfort Portia. Bassanio and Nerissa both counsel and advise the other characters, striving for them to accept their position and work with it in the best way possible. Bassanio accompanies Antonio to Shylock, to take action in case there is a business problem. He tells Antonio, “In my schooldays, when I had lost one shaft,/I shot his fellow of the selfsame flight/The selfsame way, with more advised watch, To find the other forth; and by adventuring both,/I oft found both” (1.1 140-144). He understands Antonio’s situation, and helps Antonio realize it is better to prepare for every outcome to ease his mind. Nerissa speaks to Portia to help her understand her father’s decision, as he is not present to make it clear. Although she may not support the decision either, Nerissa listens and tries to bring to focus various aspects of the marriage suitor process. She does this by simply asking, “But warmth is there in your affection towards any/of these princely suitors that are already come?” (1.2 29-30). She then recommends to Portia the man she thinks would make the best husband—Bassanio.

Antonio and Bassanio’s relationship is similar to Portia and Nerissa’s, as Antonio and Portia are both distressed and uncertain, and Bassanio and Nerissa both work to first sympathize with Antonio and Portia, then offer advice and plans of action.