Joshua’s Comments (group member since Aug 05, 2016)

Joshua’s comments from the Mills AP Lit and Comp group.

Josh Gelman
Period 1

BASSANIO
Madam, you have bereft me of all words.
Only my blood speaks to you in my veins.
And there is such confusion in my powers
As after some oration fairly spoke
By a beloved prince there doth appear
Among the buzzing pleasèd multitude,
Where every something, being blent together,
Turns to a wild of nothing, save of joy,
Expressed and not expressed. But when this ring
Parts from this finger, then parts life from hence.
O, then be bold to say Bassanio’s dead!

-Merchant of Venice Act 3 Scene 2

Bassanio has just opened the correct casket with the letter and picture of Portia. Bassanio loves Portia so much that he saw past the riches and more of who she was. With that in mind he picked the lead casket other than the silver or gold representing greed for just her riches. This gives him the right to marry her and inherit her riches. Portia presents him with a ring and he explains to her the only time the ring will come off is when he dies. Portia also was delighted he picked the correct casket because she was in love with him as well. If he were to pick the wrong casket Portia and Bassanio could not see each other ever again.

In present day you can see this all the time, but it does not always have to be about love it can be about passion and dreams. For example say you had a choice to go to the best most rigorous school ever with a full scholar ship or an opportunity to do what you great at for an amazing pay check; which one would you choose? Some would go for the money and some would go for the knowledge. This scenario is similar to the one in the Merchant of Venice because if you choose the wrong casket or the right casket it could either make you life great or horrible.