I would love to write a critical essay about the role of Portia in Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice, hailing her as one of Shakespeare's greatest contributions to the society of the sane; however, I find this impossible after studying the text. At first, I hung on her every word and was amazed at her wit, but later I found her to be just another Shakespearean psycho. Basically, I understood Portia to be nothing less than an obedient daughter obeying the whims of her dead, over-protective father
Shakespeare, the character of Portia caught my eye and stole my heart. As a woman of power, wealth and beauty, she is seen as the ultimate prized possession for many suitors from widespread nations. It seems, based of in-class discussions, that women in Shakespearean times usually were not highly educated or considered elite in any manner. The exception to this is women of royalty who gained their title through marriage or when the male of the household dies. Portia, the heiress to the throne after
her life. Thomas, her half brother is given the responsibly to take care of Portia. However, the only way he takes care of her is financially. He provides no emotional stability or companionship for Portia; instead he shuts her out and treats her like a stranger. When Thomas and Anna decide to take a summer vacation, Portia never crosses their minds as an extra companion. In the novel, a conversation between Thomas and Portia takes place about Thomas and Anna’s summer travels, however Portia’s exclusion
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
spurned many times by men like Antonio, a Venetian merchant. In contrast to this blind hatred is the longing and lust associated with Portia, the rich heiress of Belmont. Although she is a wealthy Christian, she is a woman at a time when they held little power and possessed very few rights. In Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, the author uses the characterization of Portia and Shylock in order to illustrate that despite apparent differences including religion, morals, and reputation, the limited rights
Bassanio and Portia in William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice In this essay I will be writing about Bassanio and if I think he deserves the beautiful, intelligent and skilled Portia. Portia is obviously by far the most capable and intelligent person in the whole play and she always out does the men in the play by a long way. This is made very clear when she pretends to be the judge in act 5 and she gets Antonio out of a very big mess that he made for himself when he was being stupid
Portia and the Art of Justice In Shakespeare controversial play, The Merchant of Venice, the character, Antonio calls this world "a stage where every man must play a part". He really cannot imagine that it will be a woman that will play the leading role on his "sad" stage. If not for a woman, Antonio would have found himself as a hunk of flesh in Shylock's trophy room. Portia, whose "little body is a-weary of this great world," uses her intelligence
Contribution of Portia to Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice Works Cited Missing Portia's appearance in play, scenes: * Act 1 Scene 2 - Portia complains that her dead father's will prevents her from choosing her own husband. Nerissa recaps the will: potential husbands (suitors) must choose between 3 caskets of gold, silver and lead. Whoever chooses correctly wins Portia. Nerissa begins
Portia and Bassanio in William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice “The Merchant of Venice” is a Shakespearean play based on the themes of friendship, racial prejudice, deceptive appearances and love, of which the most romantic is the love between Portia and Bassanio. In contrast, the other two couples - Lorenzo and Jessica, Gratiano and Nerissa – exhibit playful or down-to-earth love. Portia is as faultless as one could imagine. She is blessed with beauty, heavenly qualities surpassing
Characters of Portia and Calphurnia in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar For thousands of years, humanity has been ruled mainly by a Patriarchal society. In this society women have often been seen as objects or inferior humans through the eyes of their male counterparts. The Elizabethan era was no exception to these beliefs, and works of literature often supported these misogynistic views. In Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, however, the author appears to portray the characters of Portia and Calphurnia
In Act II, Portia uses rhetoric, or persuasion, to try to convince Brutus to tell her what is going on by proving her strength and loyalty to him. Portia does this in a few ways. When first trying to convince Brutus to tell her what is happening with him and why he has been acting so strange, Portia reminds Brutus that she is a part of him, his wife, his other half. She acknowledges that she is there to know his secrets and comfort him. Portia says to Brutus, “Which by the right and virtue of my
Much Ado About Nothing: Beatrice, Portia and Marriage Hero and Claudio represent the Elizabethan norm in marriage. Claudio is the shrewd, hardheaded fortune hunter and Hero is the modest maiden of conduct books and marriage manuals, a docile young woman. It is important to note that Claudio is more concerned with advancement in Don Pedro's army than he is with love. Therefore, Shakespeare illustrates to the reader through the near tragedy of mistaken identity that Claudio must learn that marriage
Merchant of Venice - Portia Outwits Shylock in Act IV Scene I "Portia: Have by some surgeon, Shylock, on your charge To stop his wound, lest he do bleed to death. Shylock: Is it nominated in the bond?" Act 4 Scene 1 lines 255-257 This is the time that Portia traps Shylock into a corner and saves the life of Antonio at the same instance. Portia builds up her defences as Shylock lets his down as he believes that he is going to gain his pound of flesh from Antonio's breast nearest the
people. In regards to The Merchant of Venice, one could definitely argue that Portia signifies deceit. Portia's evident beauty, yet unknown intelligence, deceives the audience as well as characters in the story. Portia resembling deceit, not only reveals a lot regarding her character, but the audience learns a lot about William Shakespeare's take on gender inequality, and the power of women. William Shakespeare created "Portia", to promote a message of great significance, no man is better than any woman
Venice and Macbeth, two females take different approaches to gaining their dominance over a male first society. Both Portia and Lady Macbeth use male gender roles to exploit and control men for their better interest. While the two Shakespearean women have a similar end goal, due to lady Macbeth’s guilt, explicit manipulation, and whom she can manipulate it is highlighted that Portia can progress in a man’s first society without losing her ability to further manipulate. In every Shakespearean play
There are many similarities and differences between Portia and Jessica. For starters, they are both of the same gender. Back during the Shakespearean time, sexism was very common. So they were both treated equally amongst society for being women. Portia and Jessica both struggle with romance in the play. Jessica, a jewish girl, has fallen in love with a Christian. Portia, a Christian woman, has no control over who she will have to marry, and love, for the rest of her life. Jessica hates her father
he first arrives in Belmont, the reader can see how arrogant the prince is, He says, "The best regarded virgins of our clilme/ hath loved it too..." (2.1, 10-11). He is referring to the color of his ski n that is black. He is telling Portia that his complexion has won him many women and he is dressed in all white. The fact that he is, suggests that he is only concerned with outward appearance, and not with more important things such as true love. The Prince of Morocco's
One of the most comedic aspects of the play would Shakespeare’s use of mistaken identities. We see Portia and Nerissa disguised as a judges clerk and doctor during Antonio’s trial. In act 4 scene 1 lines 293-298 Bassanio says “Antonio, I am married to a wife which is dear to me as life itself, but life itself, my wife, and all the world are not with me esteemed above thy life. I would lose all, ay, sacrifice them all here to this devil, to deliver you.” Here, Bassanio is telling his closest friend
An AI, Portia fighting to have the rights of a human was in court yesterday. Representing her, a very well-known and an experienced Human Rights Lawyer, Kimiko Saunders. The Recovery Program, designed to recycle old AI’s were intent on taking Portia and recycling her but she had other plans. She believes that she is a human and is fighting to have the rights of a human. Beside her in court was a Human Rights Lawyer, Tara (the owner of the AI) and Sam (friend of Tara). The fierce court case lasted
surrounding Portia evidently show how Shakespeare uses love to introduce economic relations into the play. During this time period, people typically married those who were in the same social class as they were. However, with Portia, a mere merchant’s daughter, potential suitors at the top of the social