Is Bassanio the kind of man Portia's father would have chosen for her? Be sure to explain your answer.
11 comments:
Anonymous
said...
I think that Bassanio is the kind of man Portia's father would have chosen for her, if given the chance to meet him. He chose the right casket, which would mean he has the values Portia's father desires, i.e. valuing contents as opposed to outer beauty, or at least understands that that's what Portia's father would have wanted. That is to say, although choosing the right casket could be based on luck, Bassanio understands Portia's father's reasoning for making the lead casket be the right one and thus chose it.
I think that Portia's father would have liked Bassanio because he truly loves Portia, and she loves him. Not only did he pass the test that Portia's father left for all the suitors, showing that he fits his criteria, he is also madly in love with her. I think a lot of the other suitors also loved her, but there is something about Bassanio that makes it seem more real. He also has the support of Portia who also loves Bassanio, and as a father, I think it would be hard to say your daughter cannot love the man she truly does. -Aidan
I think that by creating the test with the gold, silver, and lead caskets, Portia's father wanted to ensure that the suitor would not be fooled by ornamentation, and would reject the temptation to pick something shiny and without substance. Portia's father would like Bassanio because he is a grounded man who cannot be swayed from his love of Portia and commits to her fully once he picks the right casket. The fact that Portia loves Bassanio likewise shows that the father would like him as well, as for his daughter to follow his intentions fully in his will, they would have had to have some sort of connection. Their genuine love for each other and Bassanio's intelligent decision would make him a good candidate for Portia in her father's eyes. Michael
I think Bassanio is the kind of man that Portia's father would have chosen for her. By devising the system of the caskets, her father ensured that whoever she marries will fit at least part of what he has in mind for the husband of his daughter. I think the ability to not be swayed by appearance is one of the most important traits because her father would not have gone to such extent to find a man who has this quality. Another reason Portia's father would approve of Bassanio is because he loves Portia and he truly makes her happy. I think, above all, fathers just want their daughters to be happy and find true, genuine love. The only concern I see Portia's father having is that Bassanio is no longer rich and could be taking advantage of Portia and her family's money. However, because dead dad rejects the superficiality of marriage and reinforces this idea of not judging people by appearance with the casket system, I think he would be perfectly happy with Bassanio as his daughter's husband. -Rebecca
I do think Bassani would be someone that Portia's father would have chosen for her. I know that my own father would wish I chose a man who was honest and respectful towards me. Bassanio is extremely respectful towards Portia and is humble, something Portia's father definitely wanted in a man, because he set up the caskets in the way he did, lead being the casket with the most precious prize in it. Bassani's humbleness is shown when he chooses the lead box, citing that "Look on beauty,/ And you shall see ’tis purchased by the weight,/ Which therein works miracle in nature,/ Making them lightest that wear most of it" (3.2.90-94). It was also respectful of him to not immediately kiss her and swoon in his success. However, I do think if Portia's father knew of Bassanio's problem with money and noticed how willing he was to take Portia's money, he may think Bassani is not as humble as he appears to be. -preeya
I would assume that Portia's father would see Bassanio as the right man for Portia because he did make the right choice in the caskets. Bassanio also proved that he was not in it for the money but however truly is madly in love with Portia and will be respectful of her. Keeping that in mind, Bassanio also has money problems of his own and a marriage to Portia would certainly fix that. However a man who both passes the casket test and endlessly loves his daughter for who she is would certainly be the type of man that Portias' father would choose.
Bassanio is the kind of man Portia's father would have chosen for her because he is clever and mature. Portia tried to convince him to postpone the choosing of the caskets, but Bassanio declared that it would be best to do it immediately. This shows that he is brave and mature enough to realize that delaying his choice is unnecessary. Also, Bassanio's choice of the lead casket proves that he is not distracted by the glamor of life. Many would have chosen the gold or silver, but Bassanio is clever enough to understand that the appearance should have nothing to do with the choice.
Obviously, Portia's father made it so that a selfish, material man could not attain Portia by making the lead casket the lucky one. Though Bassanio referred to himself as "prodigal", he demonstrated that he is nuanced and humble through his deliberation about his choice and his ultimate choice of the lead casket. He acknowledges that he was once cocky and full of himsel, but completely surrenders himself here to Portia, because she means that much to him. Also, by agreeing to take leave on Antonio's behalf, he demonstrates that he is loyal and courteous. He is exactly who Portia's father had in mind.
Bassanio represents an almost dream candidate for Portia's hand. Because of his desire to choose the lead casket her assigns more importance to love over material things, he was a veteran representing his strong power and knowing of the world. Bassaino shares such a strong bond with the ideal of a husband and suitor especially in those times. To be in the exact sweet spot,not too old, intelligent, and a man truly seeking love means that if Portia's father were to see him on his daughters doorstep he would be extremely delighted.
Given the importance that her father placed upon the outcome of the test, I believe that Portia's father would have recognized the reasoning behind choosing the lead casket. In those times it was quite common for an older man to marry a younger woman. Ideal men were quite uncommon though Portia admits to "remember him well, and I remember him worthy of/ thy praise" (1.2.109-110). It is important to consider the different perspectives that a father and a serving maid might have. The serving maid will offer the perspective of a young woman of the time who wants an honorable man who is young handsome and brave; this is characterized when Nerissa says that he is "a scholar and a soldier"(1.2.104). He portrays outward strength and masculinity. However, Portia's father would probably not see Bassanio in a similar light. The first problem that the father would have with Bassanio is his dependence upon a friend. Most importantly his own penury and his large debt. Since it is shown that Bassanio has little skill in managing his own money. Given the affairs of his estates and the current scandal regarding Shylock and Antonio. The immediate request for money would be another point against Bassanio in her father's eyes. Given these points, I believe that Bassanio is an attractive suitor Nerissa and Portia because of his youth and modest confidence, but would be looked down upon by her father because of his mismanagement of funds and his overbearing debt.
11 comments:
I think that Bassanio is the kind of man Portia's father would have chosen for her, if given the chance to meet him. He chose the right casket, which would mean he has the values Portia's father desires, i.e. valuing contents as opposed to outer beauty, or at least understands that that's what Portia's father would have wanted. That is to say, although choosing the right casket could be based on luck, Bassanio understands Portia's father's reasoning for making the lead casket be the right one and thus chose it.
-George
I think that Portia's father would have liked Bassanio because he truly loves Portia, and she loves him. Not only did he pass the test that Portia's father left for all the suitors, showing that he fits his criteria, he is also madly in love with her. I think a lot of the other suitors also loved her, but there is something about Bassanio that makes it seem more real. He also has the support of Portia who also loves Bassanio, and as a father, I think it would be hard to say your daughter cannot love the man she truly does.
-Aidan
I think that by creating the test with the gold, silver, and lead caskets, Portia's father wanted to ensure that the suitor would not be fooled by ornamentation, and would reject the temptation to pick something shiny and without substance. Portia's father would like Bassanio because he is a grounded man who cannot be swayed from his love of Portia and commits to her fully once he picks the right casket. The fact that Portia loves Bassanio likewise shows that the father would like him as well, as for his daughter to follow his intentions fully in his will, they would have had to have some sort of connection. Their genuine love for each other and Bassanio's intelligent decision would make him a good candidate for Portia in her father's eyes.
Michael
I think that Portia's father would have mixed feelings about Bassanio. On the one hand, he chose the right casket, not being swayed by the pretense of appearance. He wanted a man that would truly love Portia, and not one who would just be in it for the money. Bassanio fits the bill in the sense that he was not fooled by mere appearance, but he is pursuing Portia in part to improve his own monetary standing. I think that Portia's father would ideally would have liked a richer man for his daughter, so that she would not have to worry about getting him out of scrapes, like Portia has to do with Bassanio. But judging by the test that he set up, I believe her father would be more concerned that Bassanio did not take the obvious and greedy choice, and would be pretty happy with him.
-Renée
I think Bassanio is the kind of man that Portia's father would have chosen for her. By devising the system of the caskets, her father ensured that whoever she marries will fit at least part of what he has in mind for the husband of his daughter. I think the ability to not be swayed by appearance is one of the most important traits because her father would not have gone to such extent to find a man who has this quality. Another reason Portia's father would approve of Bassanio is because he loves Portia and he truly makes her happy. I think, above all, fathers just want their daughters to be happy and find true, genuine love. The only concern I see Portia's father having is that Bassanio is no longer rich and could be taking advantage of Portia and her family's money. However, because dead dad rejects the superficiality of marriage and reinforces this idea of not judging people by appearance with the casket system, I think he would be perfectly happy with Bassanio as his daughter's husband.
-Rebecca
I do think Bassani would be someone that Portia's father would have chosen for her. I know that my own father would wish I chose a man who was honest and respectful towards me. Bassanio is extremely respectful towards Portia and is humble, something Portia's father definitely wanted in a man, because he set up the caskets in the way he did, lead being the casket with the most precious prize in it. Bassani's humbleness is shown when he chooses the lead box, citing that "Look on beauty,/ And you shall see ’tis purchased by the weight,/ Which therein works miracle in nature,/ Making them lightest that wear most of it" (3.2.90-94). It was also respectful of him to not immediately kiss her and swoon in his success. However, I do think if Portia's father knew of Bassanio's problem with money and noticed how willing he was to take Portia's money, he may think Bassani is not as humble as he appears to be.
-preeya
I would assume that Portia's father would see Bassanio as the right man for Portia because he did make the right choice in the caskets. Bassanio also proved that he was not in it for the money but however truly is madly in love with Portia and will be respectful of her. Keeping that in mind, Bassanio also has money problems of his own and a marriage to Portia would certainly fix that. However a man who both passes the casket test and endlessly loves his daughter for who she is would certainly be the type of man that Portias' father would choose.
Bassanio is the kind of man Portia's father would have chosen for her because he is clever and mature. Portia tried to convince him to postpone the choosing of the caskets, but Bassanio declared that it would be best to do it immediately. This shows that he is brave and mature enough to realize that delaying his choice is unnecessary. Also, Bassanio's choice of the lead casket proves that he is not distracted by the glamor of life. Many would have chosen the gold or silver, but Bassanio is clever enough to understand that the appearance should have nothing to do with the choice.
Sam Lyons
Obviously, Portia's father made it so that a selfish, material man could not attain Portia by making the lead casket the lucky one. Though Bassanio referred to himself as "prodigal", he demonstrated that he is nuanced and humble through his deliberation about his choice and his ultimate choice of the lead casket. He acknowledges that he was once cocky and full of himsel, but completely surrenders himself here to Portia, because she means that much to him. Also, by agreeing to take leave on Antonio's behalf, he demonstrates that he is loyal and courteous. He is exactly who Portia's father had in mind.
- Timmy
Bassanio represents an almost dream candidate for Portia's hand. Because of his desire to choose the lead casket her assigns more importance to love over material things, he was a veteran representing his strong power and knowing of the world. Bassaino shares such a strong bond with the ideal of a husband and suitor especially in those times. To be in the exact sweet spot,not too old, intelligent, and a man truly seeking love means that if Portia's father were to see him on his daughters doorstep he would be extremely delighted.
Given the importance that her father placed upon the outcome of the test, I believe that Portia's father would have recognized the reasoning behind choosing the lead casket. In those times it was quite common for an older man to marry a younger woman. Ideal men were quite uncommon though Portia admits to "remember him well, and I remember him worthy of/ thy praise" (1.2.109-110). It is important to consider the different perspectives that a father and a serving maid might have. The serving maid will offer the perspective of a young woman of the time who wants an honorable man who is young handsome and brave; this is characterized when Nerissa says that he is "a scholar and a soldier"(1.2.104). He portrays outward strength and masculinity. However, Portia's father would probably not see Bassanio in a similar light. The first problem that the father would have with Bassanio is his dependence upon a friend. Most importantly his own penury and his large debt. Since it is shown that Bassanio has little skill in managing his own money. Given the affairs of his estates and the current scandal regarding Shylock and Antonio. The immediate request for money would be another point against Bassanio in her father's eyes. Given these points, I believe that Bassanio is an attractive suitor Nerissa and Portia because of his youth and modest confidence, but would be looked down upon by her father because of his mismanagement of funds and his overbearing debt.
Gray Downs
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