Portia and Bassanio's relationship is a perfect example of this false love that people exhibit. Portia is using Bassanio to end the nuisance of choosing a proper husband. As we could already tell earlier when she exclaimed "Whiles we shut the gate upon one wooer,/ Another knocks at the door" she is tired of all these suitors attempting to woo her and choose the right casket. The only man that she has a mild interest in is Bassanio, which in her case is good enough to mean love. Bassanio is the end to her tireless existence of finding a husband. I believe this is why she also offers to consul him at the top of Act III Scene II.
"I pray you, tarry: pause a day or two
Before you hazard; for, in choosing wrong,
I lose your company: therefore, forbear awhile.
There's something tells me- but it is not love-
I would not lose you . . . "
Portia is telling him to wait awhile before choosing, get to know her so he does not choose wrong. She can feel that it is not love that is commanding her to keep him but something else. She knows that it is not love necessarily drawing them to each other but rather a marriage of convenience and friendship. We already know that Bassanio basically feels the same way. To him she is an available woman that has money and is looking for a husband. Considering that he is in deep debt, why not marry her? She is just fine. I think the representation of this marriage agreement is embodied in the ring that Portia gives to him.
"Myself and what is mine to you and yours
Is now converted . . .
This house, these servants, and this same myself,
Are yours, my lord: I give them with this ring. . . " (3.2. 166-171)
As long as Bassanio does not tip the scales to far in his favor and lose the ring their marriage in the eyes of Portia will work just fine. Their relationship is reminiscent of a business contract, these two parties have found an agreement of what is expected out of them, Bassanio is expected to keep his loyalty to her and Portia to share in her wealth; all of this was sealed with a ring.
Lorenzo and Jessica's relationship puzzles me as does his friends reaction to his love for her. Why would Lorenzo want to be with a Jew? Especially since this particular Jewish girl happens to be the "villain" Shylock's daughter. Why are his friends not upset about this? Why do they help out these two lovebirds? Something just doesn't add up to me. I do understand that Jessica says that she will convert and be a Christian, but is that alone enough for people who despise Jews to encourage this marriage? For this play that appears to be so anti-semitic, this is showing some very progressive thought. To me Lorenzo must be getting something else besides just her love and commitment to him. I am sure the small fortune she does have may have sweeten the deal.
I believe a part of Jessica may love Lorenzo or she loves what he represents to her; freedom. Lorenzo is a way out of the life that she was living. Imagine living with tyrannous father who is so consume with thoughts of money and holding such revenge against Christians that he doesn't show you the love or attention that you want. She could not talk to him nor stand living with a man like that any longer. I think the social stigma of being Jewish got to her as well so she fell in love with someone that represents the opposite of her current life. It is hard not to run off with a person that could give you a more promising future than the one that you are looking at.
The only relationship that I could find being the closest to being true love is Antonio and Bassanio. Someone in class suggested that they may be in love with each other, more than just friends, I completely agree. I think that they are in love with each other and they would do anything for one another. Antonio constantly gives Bassanio loans that he knows he can't payback. Then literally puts his life on the line by getting a loan from Shylock who wants his flesh if he can't pay it back. Bassanio is going after a woman not for love but for wealth to pay Antonio back for everything. It sounds to me that they are trying to make a clean start in their relationship. This relationship may also explain why Antonio is so sad, he is in love with a person that he could never truly be with. We cannot deny that Antonio and Bassanio have a special bond, but there is something more there than just loving friends. If we take a look at Bassanio's departure from Antonio is appears like two lovers saying goodbye.
"And even there, his eye being big with tears,
Turning his face, he put his hand behind him,
And with affection wondrous sensible
He wrung Bassanio's hand; and so they parted." (2.7. 48-51)
Antonio and Bassanio definitely have a deep connection and will do anything for each other, although their love may be forbidden it is the truest kind of love that I have seen.
3 comments:
I think you make really great points in this post! It is true that so many of the characters we have encountered so far are very superficial. The only character I see as not being superficial like the rest is Antonio. In the beginning of the play we learn that Antonio is sad and he isn't sure why. I believe the fact that Antonio has proven to be a very real person may be the explanation for this. He has been living his life so far being a loyal friend and a humble person. He is wealthy and he recognizes it but doesn't let himself become boastful because of it. Instead he uses his wealth to help his friend/love interest. Maybe he is so sad because he lives his life for what it really is. He isn't running around like most of the characters imposing himself on people or pretending to be something he isn't. Take Shylock, for instance, he takes it upon himself to abuse his wealth and makes his money off of the interest he charges. Bassanio is another character who lives a fake life. He goes from town to town and person to person to accrue and payoff debt. Jessica, too, is a Jew trying to be a Christian. Perhaps if Antonio were living a false life like many others, he would be more satisfied and less sad because that way he can make his life whatever he desires it to be.
I find your points about the artificiality of Bassanio and Portia's "love" particularly perceptive, since Shakespeare doesn't really display this clearly. It would be easy to experience these scenes thinking that Bassanio and Portia truly are madly in love with each other as individuals, but the realization of their own goals may be at the heart of their enthusiasm. Bassanio very well may be simply ecstatic at the thought of marrying into such a favorable position, and Portia may merely be happy to finish the grueling task of finding a husband through such a convoluted method. They do seem to be happy for now, but it may simply be that two people who get along fine, but aren't necessarily meant to be forever bound to each other in love, are feeling good about their own personal conditions.
I agree with your observations that the characters are exceptionally fake with each other. The portion concerning fake relationships that most upsets me in this play is Bassanio and Portia. Bassanio's main concern for Portia is propelled by his desperate need for her wealth. I also agree with the comment that Antonio seems to be the only character who isn't as superficially concerned with monetary things. He is ready and willing to lay himself on the line to help out a friend.
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