T3 Blog Prompt #7

Pretend for a moment that you are Antonio. Based on Bassanio's arguments, would you also have loaned him the money? Write in ABC/PEEL format.

In Act One Scene 1, Bassanio persuades Antonio to lend him some money to help him pursue his courtship of the fair lady of Belmont, Portia. If he can succeed him marrying Portia, he will have enough money to clear his debts as Portia is a rich heiress. Although Antonio's money is all invested in ships and their cargoes, he urges Bassanio to use the good name of Antonio as a means of borrowing money in the city. If I was Antonio, I would loaned Bassanio the money as there is a chance that he can repay all his debts and also he is my close friend, even though Bassanio is a spendthrift and there is some risk involved.

Firstly, I would loan Bassanio the money as there is a chance that he can repay all his debts. I had lent money to Bassanio many times already and he had also borrowed money from many other people. If he were to succeed in wooing Portia, he can clear all return me my money and clear all his debts. Although the chances may be slim, I would still loan him the money as I had already loaned him a big sum of money, and by loaning him another sum of money, I might be able to get back all of the money I had loaned him. This is like a good investment where there is some risk involved, but by taking the risk, I could get everything back and it is definitely worth taking the risk. Hence, I would take the risk and loan Bassanio the money.

Secondly, I would loan Bassanio the money as he is my close friend. I treasure the friendship with Bassanio and it is definitely more precious than three thousand ducats. It is a rare chance that Bassanio would be able to repay all his debts hence I should help him to solve his problems. Good friends should help each other when in need, when I am in trouble I believe that he would help me too, hence I should also help him. Also, Bassanio had found his true love and so I should help him in his journey to woo Portia by loaning him some money. Hence, I would loan Bassanio the money as I value the friendship with him.

However, I would consider twice before lending Bassanio the money as he is a spendthrift and it is too risky. Bassanio had borrowed money from me many times before but was unable to repay his debt. Bassanio is a spendthrift who clearly enjoys making merry. Hence, he could have wasted all his money without succeeding in marrying Portia and I would not be able to get my money back. Also, this might be too risky as there are many suitors wooing Portia like the Prince of Morocco and the Prince of Arragon and so the chance of Bassanio succeeding in wooing Portia would be quite low. Hence, as Bassanio is a spendthrift and because it would be too risky, I would consider twice before lending Bassanio the money.

In conclusion, although there might be some risk involved, I would still loan Bassanio the money as he is my close friend and by loaning him the money, he could be able to clear all his debts. It is worth the risk to do something for a close friend who is in need of help and so I feel that loaning Bassanio the money is a right chioce.

Reflections:

I treasure friendship more than money. When my friend needs help and I have the ability to do so, I would definitely help him. If I feel that my friend is serious and sincere this time, I would help him for sure. If I did not lend him the money, our relationship would definitely be strained as he might feel that I have the ability to help him yet I am finding excuses to not lend him. Then, he would not treat me as his good friend as good friends would help each other when we are in need of help. However, if I keep lending him money but he does not return my money as promised, I would not lend him again and stop being close friends with him as I will feel that he is making use of me and trying to gain from this friendship with me. I feel that friends should help each other when in need but we should not make friends just for the benefits but must treat them with a true heart and not make use of them.