Portia from Julius Caesar By: Kayla Hobbs. I think Portia is decently likable in the book, but if I had to hang out with her in real life, I don’t think I would like it very much. In the book, Brutus and her seem to be pretty in love and she’s not one of the main characters, so nobody really has a problem with her. However, I think I find her annoying and impulsive because of some of the things she does to “prove herself”. I think one instance of when Portia was kind of irritating was in Act II, Scene I, when Brutus is upset and doesn’t want to talk. Portia even says in lines 241-245, “I asked you what the matter was, You stared upon me with ungentle looks. I urged you further; then you scratched your head, and too impatiently stamped with your foot.” So, if while she is questioning him about what’s the matter but he just scratches his head and is impatient with his actions, …show more content…
Portia didn’t get the hint and she kept insisting and he replied with an “angry wafter” which means an angry wave of his hand and that definitely shows that he wants to be left alone. That alone is a big part of why I would not like Portia in real life because when I’m upset I like to be left alone and if someone was pestering me like that I would be very frustrated. So, not only is Portia irritating, but she is also very impulsive on multiple occasions. First, when Brutus says he’ll tell her why he was upset later and that he didn’t want to talk yet, she went and stabbed herself in the thigh just to show him she’s loyal and won’t tell his secrets. I think that is really dangerous and not a smart thing to do, especially over something so dumb. Another example of her making rash decisions is when she swallows fire (hot coals) because she is impatient with Brutus' absence. We learn that she
... Portia does not show any emotion to Brutus when she cuts herself because she knows that a manly person cannot show any emotion when in pain. Once the audience visualizes that Portia does not get what she deserves after cutting herself, the audience truly identifies that she struggles to become manlier in the play but never reaches it. Works Cited Blitz, Jan H. “Manliness and Friendship in Julius Caesar ” Bloom’s Modern Critical Interpretations: Julius Caesar.
Brutus is considered an honorable man by all those who live in Rome. He is a close friend of Caesar, husband of Portia, and is also a Senator. Brutus is drawn into killing Caesar by Cassius, who was jealous of Caesar's degree of power. Brutus was pulled into the scheme by letters brought to his house by Decius to make him think that the people of Rome wanted him to replace Caesar. Brutus also feels that Caesar is being given too much power and will destroy Rome's democracy. Brutus' reason for killing Caesar is to benefit Rome, he proves this when he states"If then that friend demand why Brutus rose against Caesar, this is my answer: not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more." After losing to Mark Antony and Octavious, Brutus runs onto his own sword. He sticks to his beliefs, not altering them for others.
The significance of the passage I chose to analyze is often overlooked. It is a monologue from Portia, Brutus’s wife, taking place in Rome, at Brutus’s Orchard during the first scene of act II. Brutus is convincing himself that the plot against Caesar is a righteous decision, by speculating that Caesar´s nature would change upon being crowned, resulting in a tyrant. He then receives the false letters Cassius wrote, intended to deceive him into thinking they are the words of anonymous citizens testifying Caesar’s alleged inappropriate ambition, he is partially convinced to proceed with the conspiracy. Shortly after, the conspirators enter the scene and discuss the terms: Who will be involved and how the murder will be carried out.
Driving her to suicide was a very selfish act on Brutus’ part. He should have been there for his wife. Brutus did not think about his actions before they were done. He didn't think about what would happen to the Roman empire if Caesar were killed. By assassinating Caesar, he started a civil war.
is unfolded, the reader sees a wife in love with the husband who was wise enough to earn her love (and consequently her fortune!). Beware, gentle reader! Do not fall under the spell of Portia the control freak! The following scenerios must be proof that this woman is not to be trusted!
Brutus has high social status in Rome. Brutus is a senator, and a popular one at that. Cassius says that “many of the best respect in Rome... have wished that noble Brutus had his eyes” (1103). Many people look up to Brutus, and wish he would help with their problems. Brutus has enough social status and wealth to hire six servants (1097). Brutus’s wife, Portia, is “Cato’s daughter”, a highly respected man (1124). IT would take someone of high status to marry a daughter of Cato’s. Portia asks if Brutus thinks she is “no stronger than [her] sex, being so fathered and so husbanded” (1124). This implies that Brutus is a man on a near caliber to that of her father. Even after Brutus is run out of Rome, he keeps his high status by becoming a general. One of the qualities of being a tragic hero is high social status, and Brutus has this quality.
After fleeing Rome, Brutus learns that his wife has committed suicide, and is heartbroken when discussing it with Cassius when he says, “No man bears sorrow better. Portia is dead.” (172) This shows when he is with his fellow general Cassius, Brutus is willing to share his feelings with him. However, as soon as soldiers enter his tent, he pretends to not know of her death, and when told of it, does not react with great emotion: “Why, farewell, Portia. We must die. With meditating that she must die once. I have the patience...
Portia play’s a major role in trying to persuade Shylock to be merciful to Antonio, as the story continues. Basannio, the loyal friend of Antonio also tries to persuade Shylock to show some sympathy towards Antonio, but is not shown.
Throughout the rest of the play we see Portia fight back not only through giving herself control of who she marries but also through deceiving the Duke into believing that she is a clever, young lawyer named Balthazar by writing a letter that the Duke receives from, supposedly, Bellario telling him that he cannot make the court hearing but he has sent a young man, a disguised Portia, called Balthazar to take his place. She starts the letter with flattery, saying, ‘Your Grace shall understand…’ This makes the Duke feel elevated and respected because Your Grace is a sign of humbleness showing respect and a feeling of status. She then writes that Bellario is ‘very sick’ so that the Duke would have sympathy for Bellario and therefore be more likely to agree to Balthazar being the prosecution councillor.
It develops the character of Portia as being someone madly in love with another person. It is clear to me that she is in love with Bassiano. She talks about how she could teach Bassiano how to choose right, but she can’t because of her father’s will. To me, she is really sick. It advances the plot so that the love Portia has for Bassiano, and the love that Bassiano has for Portia, can be more looked at.
With two drastically different relationships with their spouses, analysis of Portia and Calpurnia’s relationships and care for their husbands leads one to see that Portia is the more admirable and redeeming character. Although both couples equally loved each other, the ways in which they reacted and influenced each other differed greatly.
Throughout the Merchant of Venice, while Portia is being courted. the reader can see that she does not like any of the suitors, except Bassanio. She finds a flaw in all the suitors and readers, as well, can see. the flaws in each as they present themselves to her. Her true love however, is for Bassanio
Everyone is deceived and believes Portia is truly a man therefore showing that she has the capabilities to exert the traits of a man. Portia is described as the “wise young judge” (IV, I, 228) and an “excellent young man” (IV, I, 252) by Shylock showing that he believes in the gender identity of Balthazar. Bassanio, Portia’s husband, is also fooled as he states that Antonio’s life is more valuable to him than Portia. Her credibility in turn gives her power over the men in the scene. She is able to use the balances of justice along with her knowledge in order to save Antonio. The turn in this scene is when she repeats, “A pound of flesh” (IV, I, 315) and states the specific words used in the document as no blood can be dropped from Antonio or else Shylock will be punished and strikes fear into Shylock. This shows that it is possible for a woman to obtain the masculine qualities of being powerful and intellectual. If Portia were to have not dressed as a man, but merely a woman, due to the social constructs of the time she would not have had any power in this situation. Portia tells Bassanio “I pray you, know me when we meet again” (IV, I, 432) which shows her feelings towards Bassanio not knowing her true identity, even through her disguise. Her actions were that of her individual, but due to her altering her appearance of gender it changed the way others viewed her
From the first time Portia is introduced, she is depicted as a very smart woman. In the beginning, she is searching for a husband that has more in his head than money and beauty. Portia and her companion, Nerissa, talk about the flaws of all her suitors and she makes it very clear that she is looking for an honorable man who will love her for who she is and not for her money. She also finds that “If it be proved against an alien that by direct or indirect attempts, he seek the life of any citizen, the party against the which he doth contrive shall seize one-half his goods” (Act IV.
Therefore, Portia is a character whom Shakespeare means to be highly admired. She possesses qualities that make her the adoration of some and the envy of others. She is highly skilled at whatever task she undertakes; yet she retains an aura of compassion and a strong sense of commitment. She puts herself on the line for the sake of her Bassanio. On the other hand, when she is crossed - or better yet when something she is endeared to is threatened - she is prepared to unleash a havoc to make things better again.