english

In Act 4 during the trial scene, Bassanio says the following lines:

“Antonio, I am married to a wife

Which [who] is as dear to me as life itself;

But life itself, my wife, and all the world

Are not with me esteemed above your life.

I would lose all, ay sacrifice them all

Here to this devil [Shylock] to deliver [save] you.”        

And Portia, who hears these lines (though Bassanio doesn’t know it), says,

“Your wife would give you little thanks for that

  If she were [near]by to hear you make the offer.”     (Act 4, scene 1, 281-288

Is Antonio really more important to Bassanio than Portia?  Explain why or why not.  What do these lines tell us about the value of male friendship vs. marriage in this play? Would Portia be justified in rejecting Bassanio, since later in this scene he gives away the ring she gave him which he swore never to give up? (see Act 3, scene 2, lines 167-185) Your response should be about 200-250 words and should include specific references to lines in the play.