Semester 2 Portfolio Website

http://pinkpopcornhawaii.wix.com/semester2portfolio

The Merchant of Venice Final Draft

Life is full of ups and down. With different relationships comes with different challenges. The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare is a comedy play that deals with all types of relationship with all different types of people. Antonio the merchant has to work with his friend Bassanio and his enemy Shylock.  Bassanio, Antonio best friend struggles to get the girl of his dreams but stay true to himself.  Facing many conflicts that have to deal with love, money, justice, law, marriage, and religion.

During the play Bassanio shows true honesty, bravery and true love.

Bassanio is a type of guy that follows the rules and is a good friend. In act four scene one Bassanio showed bravery when trying to save his best friend Antonio’s life. “Yes, here I tender it for him in the court. Yea, twice the sum. If that will not suffice. I will be bound to pay it ten times o’er. On forfeit of my hands, my head, my heart.” This conflict was hard because Bassanio knows that he got Antonio into this situation and he has to get Antonio out of the situation. Being brave for your friend is important, if your friend is doing something for you, you should do something for them too. Friendships take a lot of bravery that you have to keep. Being honest is also another good quality to have. Act four scene one shows Bassanio’s honesty in the play “Good sir, this ring was given me by my wife and when she put it on, she made me vow. That I should neither sell nor give nor lose it.” Knowing a trustworthy guy like Bassanio’s important to have in your life. The challenge is this case is to trust your love Portia or do you keep your promise with your love back then.

Knowing that you have true love is pure.  In the play Bassanio chases the girl of his dreams, Act one scene one “In Belmont is a lady richly left, and she is fair, and, fairer than the word, of wondrous virtues: sometimes from her eyes I did receive fair speechless messages. Her name is Portia, nothing undervalued/I have a mind presages me such thrift, that I should question less be fortunate.” These lines explain that Bassanio will do anything to go and get his love. With Antonio’s help, Bassanio could chase his heart to Belmont. With a good best friend to help you chase your dreams, them you must have a really good bond with your best friend. In act one scene two it shows how Bassanio does fall for a lot of girls but he has to be brave and trust himself that he made the right decision for falling in love with Portia. “Yes, yes, it was b/assanio, as I think so was he called. True, madam, he of all the men that ever my foolish eyes looked upon, was the best deserving a fair lady. I remember him well, and I remember him worthy of thy praise.” Bassanio leaves a good impression with Portia, and he is always remembered by his bravery and honesty.

Having pure love doesn’t always have to be for your lover. It can also be for your best friend. Bassanio tries to do that. During the play Bassanio tries to cheer up Antonio during sad times. Act four scene one shows that. “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.” The support you get from your best friend is amazing, it can’t be replaceable.  In act four scene one Bassanio also shows irreplaceable support for Antonio. “Antonio, I am married to a wife which is as dear to me as life itself, but life itself, my wife, and all the world, are not with me esteemed above thy life: I would lose all, ay, sacrifice them all here to this devil, to deliver you.” Having a close bond is significant, Bassanio becomes a better person by sticking true with what’s right in his heart.

Life can take you on many journeys to the unknown. Not knowing if you should take the risk is hard. You have to stay true yourself no matter what the situation is. The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare is a comedy play that teaches a lot of life lessons through the characters. This book is dealing with conflicts of love, law, marriage, justice, religion, and money. Bassiano the best friend of the merchant, Antonio makes risky and safe decision but Bassanio listens to his heart and follow his dreams. Throughout the play Bassanio shows bravery, honesty, and pure love.