Quote 10
BASSANIO
In Belmont there is a lady richly left,
[...]
And many Jasons come in quest of her. (1.1.168, 179)
As we see here, Bassanio is interested in courting Portia because her father has left her a ton of dough. This would be great for Bassanio, who's completely broke. What's also interesting is the fact that Bassanio refers to Portia's suitors as a bunch of "Jasons" in "quest" of the Golden Fleece. (In Greek mythology, Jason and the Argonauts went after the golden fleece of a winged ram, which landed Jason the throne of Iolcus.) Bassanio's reference to the Greek myth turns his courtship of Portia into an exciting and lucrative conquest.
Quote 11
BASSANIO
Her name is Portia, nothing undervalued
To Cato's daughter, Brutus' Portia. (1.1.172-173)
This doesn't bode well as a comparison: Brutus' Portia was indeed a noble woman, but Brutus wasn't exactly the greatest husband. In Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar, Portia dies a fairly arbitrary death, and Brutus shakes it off pretty easily. Hmm.
Quote 12
BASSANIO
In law, what plea so tainted and corrupt
But, being seasoned with a gracious voice,
Obscures the show of evil? (3.2.77-79)
Bassanio shows a great deal of wisdom here, reasoning that ornamentation can be deceiving. Anyone with a sweet voice can manipulate the law and disguise his true intent. This is particularly prescient, as Portia's eloquence will convince the court to impose a merciless sentence on Shylock and leave her looking like the picture of justice. Portia herself points out that justice can be contrary to the greater good of mercy.