The Character of Portia in Merchant of Venice
In his Merchant of Venice, Shakespeare wants the reader to admire Portia, arguably the most powerful character in the play. However, it is easy to mistake the word ‘admiration’ to mean simply a liking of someone’s positive virtues. Rather, we should like Portia because of those things that make her a multi-faceted character. Though she can appear to be an “unlessoned girl,” she is also conniving, manipulative, and powerful. Three examples that effectively show her prowess and as a result win our admiration of her occur during the casket, the trial, and the ring scenes.
One reason why Shakespeare wants us to appreciate Portia is because of the respect that radiates from her during
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(III.2.1-3)
It is very clear that Portia wants Bassanio to be her soul mate, though she is powerless to make that possibility a reality. This is one of the very few times in the play that Portia finds herself not in control, fate having the upper hand. ‘I lose you company’ brings out Portia’s compassionate side, as she yearns for the perfect mate and wants to make sure she does not loose Bassanio forever. As Bassanio picks a casket, Portia orders music to play - perhaps to soothe Bassanio’s mind while he chooses, as well as to put her own rattled mind temporarily at ease.
When Bassanio choose the correct casket, Portia is elated and gives him a ring, which she is sure will seal their fate together forever:
I give them with this ring,
Which when you part from, lose, or give away,
Let is presage the ruin of your love
And be my vantage to exclaim on you. (III.2.171-74)
(The ‘them’ in the above passage refers to her house, servants, and self.) With the passing of the ring to Bassanio, Portia exemplifies the very notion of respect by relinquishing her power (in this case her house, servants, and self) and puts it in the hands of her new lord. Bassanio appears more than willing to accept the challenge:
But when this ring
Parts from this finger, then parts all life from hence,
O then be bold to say Bassanio’s
The relationship between Brutus and Portia is of a loving one. Portia speaks to Brutus gently calling him, 'my dear lord' and `gentle' this actually shows that Portia respects and honors Brutus. Brutus also replies her gently and expresses his love for her in the lines `render me worthy of this noble wife' and `as dear to me as are the ruddy drops/that visits my sad heart'. In these lines, Brutus says that Portia is as dear to him as the blood in his heart. This shows that they have mutual respect as well as love.
Portia, wife of Brutus has he her first appearance in act 2 scene 1, when she awakens to find Brutus very stressed out. She asked why and he said he is sick, she tells him that being outside will only make it worse. She tells him how concerned she is with his ways and kneels and
Without money, Bassanio believes himself an unfit suitor for Portia, unable to match any of her other, richer suitors in sexual appeal. It is doubly significant that though he speaks of love and sexual
Antonio feels closer to Bassanio than any other character in The Merchant of Venice. Our first clue to this is in the first scene when, in conversation with Antonio, Solanio says, "Here comes Bassanio, your most noble kinsman, / Gratiano, and Lorenzo. Fare ye well: / We leave you now with better company" (i. i. 57-59). Once Antonio is alone with Bassanio, the conversation becomes more intimate, and Antonio offers an indebted Bassanio "My purse, my person, my extremest means" (137). We find out later that Bassanio needs money to woo Portia, a noble heiress who Bassanio intends to marry. And though Antonio is not in a position to loan money at the time, he does not disappoint
‘Without setting, characters are simply there, in a vacuum, with no reason to act and most importantly, no reason to care.’ The setting gives place for a narrative to begin and evolve from, without a strong setting some texts may be difficult to interpret without extra contextual and historical knowledge of the time period of which it was written. Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Othello the Moor of Venice written 1603 was set in Italy, in the Venetian Republic . This setting was gaining popularity with Elizabethan writers, maybe as a form of escapism, to have a crypto - catholic approach, as this country was the largest and still is the largest Catholic country. Or a more general form of escapism from the society at that time. Writing for a predominantly working class audience, Shakespeare’s work is an escapism from the audiences hardship of life.
Shakespeare initially introduces Portia in a way that her wealth and socioeconomic status are immediately evident. Not only is Portia rich and stunningly beautiful, but she rounds out the image of a
In giving Bassanio her ring, Portia assumes the traditionally masculine role, both in giving the ring and in giving herself, a role usually belonging to the father of the bride:
Stereotypes for every different religion, ethnicity, culture, and gender exist among the minds of the human race. These typecasts have ruled this world for as long as there has been diversity among people. In Shakespeare’s comedic tragedy, The Merchant of Venice, one prejudice is very central to the theme. The play is dominantly set in Venice, one of the most liberal cities of the Renaissance era. In this place and time period, anti-Semitism is very much in force. The Jewish people are discriminated against and treated terribly by the Christians living in Venice. Shylock, a wealthy Jew, is mercilessly spurned many times by men like Antonio, a Venetian merchant. In contrast to this blind hatred is the longing and lust associated with
We see how she is manipulated by men through her father, who though dead, still manages to control who she marries from his will. He states in his will that from three different caskets the suitors will have to chose, in each of which will contain either a letter to the suitor or a picture of Portia. In one of the three caskets, either the lead, silver or gold casket, there will be a picture of Portia the suitor picking the casket
Portia is describing to Brutus that by excluding her from his secret, that she has been reduced to his concubine. Brutus responds to Portia's statement by stating, "You are my true and honorable wife, /As dear to me as are the ruddy drops/That visit my sad heart,"(II, I, 311-313). Brutus shows that despite, his depressed state, he still loves and cares for his wife showing the mutual relationship Brutus and Portia share that is based on love.
William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice is a perplexing story of dark humor, race, religion, identity, love, and justice. Generally, most people understand The Merchant of Venice as a comedy about a bitter and outcasted Jewish moneylender named Shylock who seeks revenge against a Christian merchant who has failed to pay his loan back. However, there are many different perspectives on whether The Merchant of Venice is a comedy or a tragedy depending on one’s views on the difference between race and religion. If one views the story as a comedy, it is a dark comedy full of many problems, especially the controversial subject matter of anti-Semitic attitudes of its Christian characters. If one views it as a tragedy, it is a tragedy that concludes with majority of its characters in a “happy ending”—that is if one agrees that Jessica’s decision of love over betraying her father and giving up her Jewish identity is indeed a happy ending.
Even though it is natural to share vulnerability with loved ones, Brutus’ personal troubles lead him to keep his secrets and feelings from his wife Portia as well. She senses that Brutus is anxious and is putting on an act when he is around others. “No, my Brutus, / You have some sick offense within your mind, / Which by the right and virtue of my place / I ought to
The Merchant Of Venice is structured partly on the contrast between idealistic and realistic opinions about society and relationships. The play tells us mercy is preferable to revenge. Shylock chose revenge over mercy against Antonio and how his choices affected him. The Court of Venice begging mercy of Shylock. Finally, Portia forgiving Bassanio for giving away his wedding band.
Although Antonio and Shylock command most of the play’s dialogues pertaining to law and justice, Bassanio does comment on law in two separate occasions. The first occurs when he is choosing between one of Portia’s chests. He recognizes the dangers of façades and asks, “In law, what plea so tainted and corrupt / But, being seasoned with a gracious voice, / Obscures the show of evil?” (3.2.75-77). This line is significant because it deals with law before the courtroom scene takes place and provides some foreshadowing to how the cases are presented. Shylock and Portia, especially, employ different rhetorical devices in order to sway the ruling in their favor. In a second reading, Bassanio’s observation forces the reader to ask who is “seasoned with a gracious voice” and who is morally right? During the courtroom scene Bassanio plays a less important role, yet he recognizes how the law operates. Even though he has no say with the ruling he pleads with Portia, “And… / Wrest once the law to your authority. / To do a great right, do a little wrong, / And curb this cruel devil of his will” (4.1.211-214). Bassanio has a huge desire to help his friend Antonio and knows, that at this point, only the law can help him. Thus, it makes sense that he asks Portia to establish a favorable ruling. Bassanio’s words seem to suggest that he has a less black-and-white outlook towards law: he
Portia: Portia, being one of the main characters and the romantic heroine of the play, must be presented to the audience as a graceful, beautiful and intelligent person. We all know she’s beautiful, that needs no convincing. Portia is usually a fairly self-controlled person who likes to keep problems between her and her trustworthy lady-in-waiting, Nerissa. However there are certain times when she lets slip that she is an anxious person for example when Bassanio arrives at her mansion and is about to choose a casket. She has fallen in love with him and is having great difficulty in trying to conceal that fact. Her anxiety and confusion is what makes her lose her composure. Portia’s other appealing characteristic- probably one of the most apparent- is her graciousness, her amazing way of handling a situation with tact and