Portia

Cards (5)

  • Despite her wealth, Portia's weariness is evident in this comment. She will be constrained by her father's will and society's expectations as a wealthy heiress. Her weariness reveals her vulnerability and raises the possibility that she is trapped, illustrating the emotional toll of her situation. Observance of Her Father's Will "Curbed by the will of a dead father." Due to her father's will, Portia can only be married to a suitor who can make the correct choice amongst three caskets.
  • My little body is aweary of this great world." Even though Portia is an affluent person, this phrase captures her weariness. Her father's and society's expectations will limit her as a wealthy heiress. Her weariness makes her appear vulnerable and suggests that she is trapped, reflecting the emotional toll that her circumstances have taken.  Her feelings are greatly influenced by her father's wish. “Curbed by the will of a dead father." Portia's father's will dictates that her suitor must choose correctly among three caskets—gold, silver, and lead—to win her hand in marriage. 
  • As a result  of her father's will, Portia cannot be married until her suitor makes the correct choice among three caskets. Her independence and is restricted by this rule, highlighting her lack of individuality . Portia has to weigh her own desires against her father's wants.
  • Portia's intelligence and ingenuity are important to her role in "The Merchant of Venice." Despite being obligated by her father's will to marry whoever chooses correctly from three caskets, she remains optimistic and utilises her intellect to sway circumstances in her favour. Her renowned plea, "The quality of mercy is not strained; It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven," exhibits her literary talent and deep comprehension of human nature.
  • Her innovative thinking is most evident in the courtroom scene, when she disguises herself as the young lawyer Balthazar to save Antonio. Her fast thinking and extensive legal knowledge enabled her to turn the tables on Shylock. She effectively explains, "She persuasively argues, "This bond doth give thee here no jot of blood; The words expressly are 'a pound of flesh,'"thereby sparing Antonio and ensuring Shylock's doom.