“…in a word,
the seeming truth which cunning times put on
T’entrap the wisest. Therefore, then, thou gaudy gold,
Hard food for Midas, I will none of thee;
Nor none of thee, thou pale and common drudge
‘Tween man and man; but thou, thou meagre lead
Which rather threaten’st than dost promise aught,
Thy paleness moves me more than eloquence;
And here choose I. Joy be the consequence!
(3.2.101)
I think that the passage is a good example of Bassanio’s knowledge and wisdom. It shows that he knows his morals and is not full of himself like the other suitors. He did not choose recklessly but pondered over it for a long time. Also, this passage showed that Bassanio might not want Portia just for her money, but because he does love her. Portia definitely seemed as if she loved Bassanio with the way she acted and said that she wished she was prettier and more rich for Bassanio.
Do you think that Bassanio loves Portia or do you think he only wants her money?