friend of Antonio and suitor to Portia in Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice. Penniless yet lighthearted, Bassanio is counterpoint to the restless Antonio. His desire to win the hand of Portia is the impetus for the play's action, and he is often found at the centre of the play's lighter scenes.
BASSANIO
Meaning of BASSANIO in English
Britannica English vocabulary. Английский словарь Британика. 2012