This paper investigates the motives behind Bassanio’s pursuit of Portia in William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. Central to the study is the question of whether Bassanio is driven more by genuine affection or by ambition for wealth and social advancement. The tension between love and economics in Elizabethan marriage practices provides the contextual framework for this inquiry.The research employs close textual analysis of the play alongside critical readings from traditional, revisionist, feminist, and economic/Marxist perspectives. Secondary sources, including literary criticism and modern adaptations, are examined to reassess Bassanio’s character and motives. The study also situates the analysis within the historical and cultural context of Elizabethan society. Findings indicate that Bassanio’s motives cannot be reduced to a single dimension. While his acknowledgment of Portia’s wealth and dependence on Antonio highlight material ambition, his choice of the lead casket, his loyalty to Antonio, and his emotional responses reveal sincere affection. Portia’s agency in the casket test and the trial scene further validates the coexistence of love and ambition in their union. The study concludes that Shakespeare deliberately presents Bassanio as a multifaceted figure whose motives blend affection with ambition. By intertwining romance with economic necessity, the play reflects Elizabethan social norms while raising questions that remain relevant in contemporary debates about love, wealth, and marriage. Modern critical and theatrical interpretations continue to emphasize this ambiguity, demonstrating the play’s enduring resonance in discussions of human relationships.
Ketan Bora Ketan Bora (Mon,) studied this question.