Hey, guys! I'm here with the entire character sketch of one of Shakespeare's greatest creations, Portia from his world famous play, The Merchant of Venice.
As I'm doing English major, I've all these questions coming up in exams. There are many other students who usually visit me and ask me for proper answers. So, I've thought of giving it a try and posting all the important answers here. This is the answer of a 16 marks character sketch:
Portia is the romantic heroine of The Merchant of Venice. Of her beauty, we need no convincing. Bassanio's words are enough. Portia has already signaled him that it is possible to woo her without appearing for the casket test that was put forth by her late father. Bassanio has already received 'fair speechless messages' from her eyes when he was in Belmont earlier.
Unlike Jessica, the Jew's daughter, who betrayed her father by robbing all his wealth and eloping with her young Christian boyfriend, Lorenzo, Portia is true to her father. She could've easily said Bassanio about the right casket in the absence of her father. But she didn't do so and patiently waited for him to make his choice. If it was another guy in place of Bassanio, she had to marry him without any hesitations.
Portia is superior to Bassanio in every sense of terms, but she doesn't realize it. Love, people say, is blind. And it's the live for Bassanio that stops Portia from realizing the truth.
Another important characteristic of Portia is her graciousness. When the Prince of Morocco comes to make his choice, she behaves politely with him, giving him the importance that his rank deserves. But once he's gone, she says that she didn't like him.
When the Prince of Arragon visits, she calls him 'noble'. But once he fails in the test and goes away, she calls him a 'deliberate fool'. According to her, both these men are greedy and self-centered. Still she's as ladylike as possible in front of them.
We get to see Portia's intelligence in the trial scene of the play. She plays the role of a young male lawyer in disguise. Her maid, Nerissa plays the role of her male clerk.
Portia comes to rescue Antonio from the shackles of the cunning Jew, Shylock's knife. If she didn't come, then Antonio would've been murdered by Shylock.
The whole plan of rescuing Antonio must've required a lot of confidence and guts to execute.
First, Portia tries to melt Shylock's heart by telling him about mercy and it's importance. But he refuses to listen. Portia's speech on mercy shows how gentle and kind she is from the inside.
Even if Bassanio promises to pay Shylock a lot of money, he disagrees, telling that he only wants Antonio's pound of flesh and nothing else.
At last, Portia throws her legal weapon at Shylock. She knew that Venetian law is harsh. Once executed, there's no place for sympathy or kindness.
Even though Portia is self-controlled, she's anxious sometimes. When Nerissa mentions that Bassanio might be one of the suitors, Portia tries to disguise her anxiety, but fails. Nerissa understands her mistress. When Bassanio visits Belmont for the casket test, she's anxious about him.
Portia is also girlish and humorous. In the end of the play, she plans and persuades Bassanio to give up his wedding ring, the symbol of their love.
According to some critics, Portia loses her faminity due to her male disguise.
Portia is the heroine of the play. When all the men in the play fails financially, by the law and by their vengeful behavior, Portia is the one to rescue everyone.
Critics say that Shakespeare has only heroines and no hero in his plays. This is very true in the case of The Merchant of Venice.
Portia brings warmth, merriment and happiness among everyone.
She's one of the most intelligent and captivating characters of Shakespeare.
As I'm doing English major, I've all these questions coming up in exams. There are many other students who usually visit me and ask me for proper answers. So, I've thought of giving it a try and posting all the important answers here. This is the answer of a 16 marks character sketch:
Portia is the romantic heroine of The Merchant of Venice. Of her beauty, we need no convincing. Bassanio's words are enough. Portia has already signaled him that it is possible to woo her without appearing for the casket test that was put forth by her late father. Bassanio has already received 'fair speechless messages' from her eyes when he was in Belmont earlier.
Unlike Jessica, the Jew's daughter, who betrayed her father by robbing all his wealth and eloping with her young Christian boyfriend, Lorenzo, Portia is true to her father. She could've easily said Bassanio about the right casket in the absence of her father. But she didn't do so and patiently waited for him to make his choice. If it was another guy in place of Bassanio, she had to marry him without any hesitations.
Portia is superior to Bassanio in every sense of terms, but she doesn't realize it. Love, people say, is blind. And it's the live for Bassanio that stops Portia from realizing the truth.
Another important characteristic of Portia is her graciousness. When the Prince of Morocco comes to make his choice, she behaves politely with him, giving him the importance that his rank deserves. But once he's gone, she says that she didn't like him.
When the Prince of Arragon visits, she calls him 'noble'. But once he fails in the test and goes away, she calls him a 'deliberate fool'. According to her, both these men are greedy and self-centered. Still she's as ladylike as possible in front of them.
We get to see Portia's intelligence in the trial scene of the play. She plays the role of a young male lawyer in disguise. Her maid, Nerissa plays the role of her male clerk.
Portia comes to rescue Antonio from the shackles of the cunning Jew, Shylock's knife. If she didn't come, then Antonio would've been murdered by Shylock.
The whole plan of rescuing Antonio must've required a lot of confidence and guts to execute.
First, Portia tries to melt Shylock's heart by telling him about mercy and it's importance. But he refuses to listen. Portia's speech on mercy shows how gentle and kind she is from the inside.
Even if Bassanio promises to pay Shylock a lot of money, he disagrees, telling that he only wants Antonio's pound of flesh and nothing else.
At last, Portia throws her legal weapon at Shylock. She knew that Venetian law is harsh. Once executed, there's no place for sympathy or kindness.
Even though Portia is self-controlled, she's anxious sometimes. When Nerissa mentions that Bassanio might be one of the suitors, Portia tries to disguise her anxiety, but fails. Nerissa understands her mistress. When Bassanio visits Belmont for the casket test, she's anxious about him.
Portia is also girlish and humorous. In the end of the play, she plans and persuades Bassanio to give up his wedding ring, the symbol of their love.
According to some critics, Portia loses her faminity due to her male disguise.
Portia is the heroine of the play. When all the men in the play fails financially, by the law and by their vengeful behavior, Portia is the one to rescue everyone.
Critics say that Shakespeare has only heroines and no hero in his plays. This is very true in the case of The Merchant of Venice.
Portia brings warmth, merriment and happiness among everyone.
She's one of the most intelligent and captivating characters of Shakespeare.
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