15 minute writing

Would you lend Bassanio the money if you were Antonio?

If I were Antonio, I would lend money to Bassanio, as he is an adventurous risk taker, sincere in clearing debts, and sincere in courting Portia. Given the solid friendship I have with Bassanio, it would be much more easier for me to lend him money, trusting him to return. 

I feel that Bassanio is an adventurous risk taker, and that he would be able to return my debts. He is an adventurous risk taker through " In my fellow schooldays, when I had lost one shaft, I shot his fellow of the self-same flight The same self-way, with more advised watch, To find the other forth; and by adventuring both, I oft found both. "( Act 1 Scene 1 Line 140-144) This is proof, that he is a risk taker. In order to find his first arrow, he shoots another arrow in the same direction and observes it more clearly, this way he can locate the two arrows. The same here, if Antonio trusts him and lends him the money, he will be that adventurer risk taker again, and get back two arrows. In this case, twice the debts he owes. They will be returned by a rich lady he wants to woo, Portia. Though this requires trust, Bassanio's character alone is significantly essential, and he puts a degree of hope that he might get back even more of what he owed. Thus, with a risk, Antonio would lend the money.

I feel that Bassanio is sincere in clearing his debts with Antonio, and as such, Antonio would have no qualms and fear that Bassanio would not return the loan. It says "And from your love I have a warranty To unburden all my plots and  purposes How to get clear of all the debts I owe" ( Act 1 Scene 1 Line 132-134) This is obvious proof that he wants and is truthful into clearing the debts. And if Bassano shows such sincerity, I doubt that Antonio would restrain himself from lending the money to his good friend. 

Lastly, I feel that Bassanio is sincere about wooing Portia. From"O my Antonio, had I but the means To hold a rival place with one of the,, I ahve a mind presages me such thrift That I should questionless be fortunate." (Act 1 Scene 1 Line 173-176) It shows that he is willing to hold rival places to all the other rich sailors around the world, despite his relative poverty, and will do anything to get her. It also shows he puts matrimony over money and is attested by his sincerity. Antonio, being Bassanio's good friend, would definitely want to see him happy and having a good life, thus he would grant such an opporunity, and I see no objection in Antonio lending the money to Bassanio.

Though there might be risks, and Bassanio already owes debts to Antonio, I feel that he will still lend money to Bassanio, his good friend, mainly because of his risk-taking personality and sincerity. 

Benedict(: