The Merchant of
Summary
This scene opens to Portia begging Bassanio to wait to make
his decision about which casket to choose, fearing that he will have to depart.
However, he insists, whishing to “avoid prolonging the torment of living
without Portia.” : He rejects the gold casket,
saying that “[t]he world is still deceived with ornament” (III.ii.74), while the
silver he deems a “pale and common drudge / ’Tween man and man” (III.ii.103–104). After
some careful thought, Bassanio picks the lead casket, which he opens to reveal
Portia’s portrait, along with a poem congratulating him on his choice and
confirming that he has won Portia’s hand.
Motifs & Connotations
In this portion, perhaps more than in any other, there is
the idea that Bassanio is a gentleman who looks beyond outside appearance. He
says, “So are those crisped, snakey golden locks which make such wanton gambols
with the wind.” He relates ‘golden locks’ to a snake, a snake being synonymous
with evil. This has the obvious effect of degrading the normally enormous value
of gold (and beauty). Therefore, Bassanio represents an idealist view of a
Shakespearian male who looks beyond face value. Such an idea is made more
explicit by Bassanio’s choice of the lead casket, in line with such and ideal
has a harsh out word appearance yet contains the prize.
Themes
Key in this portion of the play is the idea of love and its
effect on individuals. Portia especially exemplifies love and its effect.
Having been fully taken by Bassanio she begs him to wait before choosing
saying, “Before you hazard, for in choosing wrong I lose your company;
therefore forbear a while.” However
Bassanio, despite having wooed Portia, has a vested interest in marriage,
Portia’s inheritance. With this, a second theme is set forth, that is the
contrast between self interest and love, Portia’s love at first sight against
Bassanio’s need for financial security.
Imagery
Imagery can be said to be important to the themes, motifs
and connotations, especially to the idea of looking beyond outside appearance.
Bassanio says, “So are those crisped, snaky golden locks which make such wanton
gambols with the wind.” Here, it is evident that he is referring to hair with
the words crisped and the phrase gambols in the wind. This gives one a clear
image of Portia, while also showing that gold although pleasing can hide hidden
truths by referring them to snakes. It is also interesting to point out that
these choice words and imagery could be seen as representing the contrast
between love and personal interest. While give a pleasant image of Portia the
inclusion of the word ‘snakey’ in relation to golden can be said to show
dissimilarity.
Characters
In this section, Bassano and Portia are the only characters
to appear. However, despite her initial appearance as a ‘stereotypical’ love
struck individual, she becomes a rounder character by showing a degree keen
wit. Bassanio says “Let me choose for as I am , I live upon the rack....there
may as well be amity and life ‘tween snow and fire, as treason and my love.” To
this Portia replies “Ay, but I fear you speak upon the rack where men enforced
do speak anything.” Such a comment to immediately counter Bassanio gives the
audience the sense that Portia is more than a love struck individual, but also
a keen and quick minded character.
Setting
The setting does not appear to be critically important in
this portion. However, it is important to point out that this scene is not set
in
Narrative Style/Structure
Within this scene and specifically lines 1 to 148, Bassanio
by far has the greatest number of lines. He repeated proclaims his affection
for Portia but also speaks of the casket task. This can be said to show
Shakespearian views of the supremacy of male figures. However, Portia does have
a great many lines which can be said to by symbolic of her affection for
Bassanio but also her level of wit as she is able keenly respond to Bassanio’s
remarks.
Relation of Part to Whole
As this is portion can be seen as a climax, this passage is
key in relation to the whole play. Here, Bassanio chooses the correct casket
and gains the hand of Portia in marriage. Without this development, the
following portions could not take place and this sets the stage for the
remanding sections of the work.