1, Shakespeare shows his reader the deep love Bassanio feels for a woman: Portia. He describes he physically and socially, but it doesn't seem from his speech that he really knows her, or is worthy of her. In Act 3.2, Bassanio wins Portia's hand by proving that he can look beyond the exterior and see what is deep inside her soul. It is in this second speech of Bassanio's that it is understood how a man of Bassanio's position can be worth the affections of a woman like Portia.
Bassanio's first words describing Portia are "In Belmont is a lady richly left" (1.1.161). Translated, Bassanio is stating that she is rich most likely due to an inheritance. It is difficult to take a statement regarding her financial situation to be his confession of true love. He goes on to describe how her great beauty often leaves him speechless. Although it is wonderful to hear of a woman's beauty, this shows no insight as to whether he knows of the true woman in Portia. In his later speeches Bassanio condemns those who cannot look beyond the exterior, and it seems that is exactly what he does in the opening confession. Bassanio also tells is friends that she has many suitors, who, in fact, all seem to be after the same thing Bassanio is; Portia's money and he beauty.
Although Bassanio's words are all very poetic, there is a hint of hypocrisy in his words. Bassanio has just risked his best friend's life in order to impress the most sought after woman in Belmont. He buys her gifts and compliments her on her beauty incessantly. Bassanio is not looking deep into this woman to find what he has been looking for his entire life. He wants the same thing everyone else wants; her money, her beauty, and her name.
Portia does indeed have many suitors, and all are fooled by her "test". It is significant that Portia is a strong enough character that she can confront he situation and know exactly what she wants. She not only wants someone worthy socially, but intellectually as well.
