IndexPortia's selfishness in her relationship with BassanioConclusionReferencesThe Merchant of Venice is a traditional Shakespeare comedy, which means there is an abundance of romance and love (Devine, August 29) . The two main lovers in this play, Portia and Bassanio, are newlywed lovers after Bassanio becomes the only suitor in all of Europe capable of earning the right to love Portia. He faces a test to discover whether he is worthy enough of Portia's love, and wins her heart after choosing the right coffin from two others. This casket is made of a special type of metal, lead, and a phrase is engraved on the casket: "He who chooses me must give and risk all he has" (II.vii.11-12). This phrase indicates that the suitor who must choose correctly must be willing to give up everything he has for Portia. Although it was Portia's late father who instilled the rules, some might argue that Portia likes and enjoys the attention of having many suitors trying to win her hand. Portia's thoughts, motivations, and actions are all driven by one factor: selfishness. Therefore the relationship between Portia and Bassanio is the topic of this essay. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Portia's selfishness in her relationship with Bassanio Portia's selfishness first becomes evident in a conversation with her closest friend, Nerissa. She begins to complain about not being able to choose the husband she wants, but having to accept the suitor who won the coffin competition held by her dead father. Portia says: “I can neither choose who I want nor reject who I don't like. Thus the will of a living daughter is restrained by the will of a dead father. Is it not difficult, Nerissa, that I cannot choose one, nor refuse any” (I.ii.22-26)? It seems like it would be a pretty easy decision to follow and respect his father's decision, considering he's dead. However, Portia is seen complaining and struggling to do so. It may be understandable that a person would want to choose who to give their heart to, but their father has died and it should be an easy decision to honor something he wanted. This is a great example of Portia thinking of herself before thinking of others. Before Bassanio chooses the correct coffin, which will grant him Portia's love, Bassanio begins to feel confident in his decision and says, "Let joy be the consequence" (III.ii.110). Although Bassanio feels confident, Portia is afraid of being confident. and fears his strong feelings towards Bassanio. Portia selfishly focuses on herself and how she will be affected, rather than how Bassanio might feel. She doesn't even think about how she could be good to Bassanio and serve him well. He had “doubtful thoughts,” feelings of despair, fear, and “green-eyed jealousy” (III.ii.12-13). He wanted all these negative feelings to go away, even though these feelings will reappear later in the show. She focuses on these feelings rather than enjoying the beginning of her love for Bassanio, and must make sure that these feelings are true. Later, Portia becomes doubtful about her relationship with Bassanio, because she begins to develop jealousy over her relationship with Antonio. Portia thinks about herself and wants what they have as friends. This is evident in the way Antonio speaks to Bassanio in his letter, “Sweet Bassanio” (III.iii.328). In the letter, Antonio writes about his soon to be owed bond to Shylock and how he cannot afford to pay off the bond. This is when Portia knows that she could come in and appear a worthy Christian in Bassanio's eyes. He offers to pay theAntonio's debt, not just once, but twenty times: “Why will you lie by Portia's side with a restless soul. You will have gold to pay twenty times the debt” (III.iii.318-20). The quote is textual evidence of Portia taking control and surpassing Bassanio. She wants to imply that she can help Antonio easily while Bassanio cannot, demonstrating that she is the dominant figure in the relationship. His debt payment may seem nice, but it is also a way of showing off in front of Antonio. It's making Antonio feel weak, because his best friend's girlfriend is now paying off his bail. It is generally known that selfish people like to be in control of every possible situation, and this is an example of Portia doing just that. Now he has control of Antonio's life. Portia obviously likes to be in control of every situation; in doing so he “gives” a ring to Bassanio. The ring carries with it much more than a pledge: “Myself, and that which is mine, to thee and thine is now converted. But now I was lord of this fair house, master of my servants, queen of myself; and even now, but now, this house, these servants, and this I myself are yours, my lords. I give them to you with this ring", (now she has influence over Bassanio since he cannot repay her.) "Which, when you part, lose or give away, let it portend the ruin of your love and be my boon to exclaim upon you” (III.ii.170-78). He puts conditions on his gift to Bassanio, because being selfish, he will not give anything unless he receives something in return. I believe that Portia has treated herself with the best gift in doing so, considering that she can now test Bassanio and see if her feelings of doubt and untrustworthiness towards him are true. “Selfish people plot and plot against you” (Paler). This is exactly what Portia did in the final act of the play. She is so lacking in faith in Bassanio that she goes undercover as a doctor of law, Balthazar, to test his promise. Balthazar (Portia) saves Antonio's life in the courtroom and deserves so much for doing so. In return, she asks Bassanio to give her his ring: “And for your love I will take this ring for you. Don't withdraw your hand; I will not accept more, and you in love will not deny it to me” (IV.i.45-47). Bassanio keeps his promise and denies her the ring even though Balthazar has just saved his best friend's life. As Balthazar, Portia continues to make an effort to catch Bassanio which fails. Antonio increases the pressure: “My Lord Bassanio, leave him the ring” (IV.i.48). In the end, Portia's plan comes to fruition and Bassanio gives her the ring knowing that Balthazar deserves it. I consider it a great moral act, but Portia gets exactly what she wants: drama. “By heaven, I'll never come to your bed until I see the ring” (Vi204-05), Portia is so taken with a materialistic object she gave to Bassanio as a “gift,” when all she cares about is whether herself and makes sure her negative feelings are corrected towards Bassanio. He must be right, be selfish, and must make his plan succeed. Portia displays selfish behavior throughout the entire play. She has been selfish from the beginning when she complains that she cannot choose a suitor, when it was her deceased father's will to guarantee her security and future with a worthy husband. He must prove to Bassanio's closest friend that he is better than him by repaying his debt. She selfishly hatched a plan to prove that Bassanio couldn't be trusted by giving him a ring and then setting conditions that would benefit her more. Later, she disguises herself as a lawyer, saves Antonio and demands to be paid with Bassanio's ring. . Even when Bassanio wouldn't give it to her (keeping his promise), she wouldn't, 2006.