Bassanio is one of the most important characters of the play. He is Antonio's best friend, and later marries Portia after winning the casket test.

One of the most positive aspects about him is that he is the least racial prejudiced character in the play because he never curses Shylock for being a Jew and does not abuse him like his best-friend Antonio does. Even during Antonio's trial he does not curse Shylock. One incident in which he shows racial prejudice is during his speech which is given during his choice of casket. He says "Veiling an Indian beauty; in a word, the seeming truth which cunning times put on to entrap the wisest."

He is also very simple-minded and kind-hearted. His simplicity is proven when when Shylock is trapping Antonio in his bond. He is so simpleminded that he could not look through Shylock's false friendship and...