Love couples in the works of Shakespeare

1. The Merchant of Venice
First recorded performance on February 10th in 1605
at court in front of King James I
Portia is a beautiful,
intelligent and rich
heiress who is guarded
in marriage by a casket-
selecting contest. Her
fortune attracts a lot of
suitors but she loves
Basanio. After Bassanio
wins her hand, she
disguisses herself as a
lawyer to save the life
of Antonio, Bassanio’s
best friend.
Bassanio is a handsome
young man, in love with
Portia but with no
money, who wins the
right to marry Portia by
correctly selecting from
among three caskets. He
shows true love towards
Portia and true and loyal
friendship to his friend
Antonio. He offers his
own life to save his
friend.“Turn you where your lady is
And claim her with a loving kiss”.
Act III, scene II.