This passage is important because it shows how little Bassanio values himself and how simple his needs are. He does not feel that he needs nor wants gold or silver, but rather to be happy. .
This theme is very important to the play because it points out that people's worth isn't determined by the amount of wealth they possess. For example, one of Portia's earlier suitors, the Prince of Morocco chooses gold because he feels he is worth the weight and price of the casket. The inscription on the gold casket reads, .
"Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire.".
Because he is a prince, he feels that he should get what he desires, namely, Portia. In Act II, scene vii, page 33, he continues, .
"Why, that's the lady; all the world desires her/ Never so rich a gem was set in worse than gold/ They have in England a coin that bears the figure of an angel stamped in gold/ but that's insculp"d upon/ But here an angel in a golden bed lies all within." .
This speech is very important because it shows how much the Prince of Morocco loves himself and sets himself above the rest of society, and thus believes himself worthy of Portia. The speech also shows that the Prince of Morocco values material things above everything. Because Portia is wanted and desired by other men, the prince automatically assumes that he deserves the prize above all others. The speech almost makes Portia out to be a material thing instead of a human being. .
Another theme that presents itself in the play is religion. This play is seen as very controversial because of the anti-Semitic feelings voiced throughout. In Venice, at Shakespeare's time, Jews were being persecuted and were commonly seen as villains. Ironically, the villain of Merchant of Venice is the Jewish usurer, Shylock. All throughout the play, Shylock is taunted and ridiculed for being a Jew. In Act III, scene I, page 42-43, Shylock voices his contempt for Antonio and the way he is treated.
