Conditional vs. Unconditional

Shakespeare demonstrates Bassanio’s contrasting wishes of upholding his vow to Portia and pleasing Antonio in a dialogue between the three to convey that the trusting nature of unconditional love is much more influential than the mistrusting tune of conditional love. When Portia, disguised as the doctor, asks for the ring, Bassanio refuses to give it to her and says, “this ring was given me by my wife,/And when she put it on she made me vow/That I should neither sell nor lose it.” (4.1. 437-439). Bassanio wants to keep his promise to Portia, which shows his devotion to her. On a different note, he says that “she made [him] vow[;]” By using the word “made”, Shakespeare highlights that Portia’s love came with a prerequisite, something Bassanio had to do in order to secure her love. Also, by foisting this vow on Bassanio, Portia is exhibiting her mistrust of him. As the doctor, Portia tests Bassanio’s loyalty by claiming, “An if your wife be not a madwomen,/And know how well I deserved this ring,/She would not hold out enemy for ever/For giving it to me.” (4.1. 441-444). Through Portia, Shakespeare illustrates that the doctor “deserves” a prize for his efforts; he saved Antonio’s life. Bassanio knows his debt to this doctor and yet he lets him go without a second thought; his loyalty to Portia trumps any obligation he feels to repay the doctor. However, with only a few words Antonio persuades Bassanio into giving up the ring. Antonio says, “My lord Bassanio, let him have the ring./Let his deservings and my love withal/ be valued ‘gainst your wife’s commandment.” (4.1 445-447). Bassanio not only suggests that the doctors “deservings” are of higher value than Portia’s “commandments”, but also his love, his unconditional love; he has sacrificed so much and put his own life on the line for Bassanio with absolute faith and trust, and without asking for anything in return. In addition, Shakespeare uses the word “commandment” to describe Bassanio’s vow to Portia to exemplify that Portia conditions her love on Bassanio obeying her command. In contrast, Antonio has never ordered Bassanio to do anything for him. In the end, Bassanio chooses Antonio over Portia and thus, Shakespeare that shows unconditional love inspires much more loyalty than and is far superior to conditional love.