Bassanio was in love with a wealthy and noble young lady named Portia, whose father had just died. Portia not only wealthy, she was beautiful and clever, too. Princes and noblemen were continually asking her to marry them. These men were able to show their wealth and rank by arriving at her house with many servants, and giving her expensive presents. Bassanio didn't have enough money to do this. He was afraid Portia would not consider marrying him because he was so much poorer than all the others