The Merchant of Venice Marriage Quotes Page 4
(Act.Scene.Line). Line numbers correspond to the Norton Shakespeare edition.
| Quote #10 PORTIA |
According to Portia, marriage is about a woman giving over herself (and all her money and property) to a partner. This is what she does here when she gives Bassanio "this house, these servants" and a ring. (In the 16th century, when a man married a woman, she automatically became his property and legal responsibility.) At the same time, Portia is also being pretty crafty here. Because she gives him more than he can possibly give her in return, Portia binds Bassanio to her. Check out what we have to say about Portia's ring in "Symbols" for more on this.
| Quote #11 PORTIA |
Portia's a clever girl. She knows Bassanio is going to leave her to help his BFF, but she insists that they get hitched first. This way she seals Bassanio to her. When he goes to Antonio, he'll go as her husband, not merely as Antonio's friend.
| Quote #12 GRAZIANO |
Graziano's marriage to Nerissa is a calculating, unornamented version of the institution that is actually a neat parallel to Bassanio and Portia's hookup. Graziano says as much when he declares that he and Bassanio are the "Jasons" who have "won the fleece" (3.2.6).
