The Merchant of Venice: Analysis of Portia
Character Name: Portia
Character Traits:
Loyal
“Oh, me, the word ‘choose’! I may neither choose who I would nor refuse who I dislike; so is the will of a living daughter curbed by the will of a dead father. Is it not hard, Nerissa, that I cannot choose one nor refuse none? (Act 1 Scene 2 lines 22~25)
“In terms of choice I am not solely led by nice direction of a maiden’s eyes. Besides, the lott’ry of my destiny bars me the right of voluntary choosing. But if my father had not scanted me, and hedged me by his wit to yield myself his wife who wins me by that means I told you, yourself, renowned Prince, then stood as fair as any comer I have looked on yet for my affection” (Act 2 Scene 1 lines 13~24)
- Although Portia wishes to choose the man she loves to marry, she cannot do so, for her father – Cato – had left a will that tells Portia to marry a man that can solve the ‘casket’ game. It is basically where Portia’s suitors have to choose one casket that contains Portia’s portrait amongst the three caskets – one made out of gold, the other two made out of silver and lead. In act 1 scene 2, Portia expresses sympathy for herself, and how she thinks it is a cruel path for her to follow, not being able to marry the man she wishes to spend her life with. Quoting ‘…will of a dead father,’ we can tell that Portia’s father is not alive any longer. Thus, Portia could, at any time of her favor, break her father’s will and make her own decision – there were not a single obstacle in the way. However, as shown in the encounter with Morocco in act 2 scene 1, Portia follows her father’s will with respect, despite the fact that her freedom is limited. These two quotes show respectively how Portia struggles to take in her father’s will, yet oblige to her respectable father’s will. It has not only proven the fact that she is loyal to her own father, but hinted that Portia is capable of providing loyalty for people she respects.
Observant / Picky
"I pray thee, overname
Character Traits:
Loyal
“Oh, me, the word ‘choose’! I may neither choose who I would nor refuse who I dislike; so is the will of a living daughter curbed by the will of a dead father. Is it not hard, Nerissa, that I cannot choose one nor refuse none? (Act 1 Scene 2 lines 22~25)
“In terms of choice I am not solely led by nice direction of a maiden’s eyes. Besides, the lott’ry of my destiny bars me the right of voluntary choosing. But if my father had not scanted me, and hedged me by his wit to yield myself his wife who wins me by that means I told you, yourself, renowned Prince, then stood as fair as any comer I have looked on yet for my affection” (Act 2 Scene 1 lines 13~24)
- Although Portia wishes to choose the man she loves to marry, she cannot do so, for her father – Cato – had left a will that tells Portia to marry a man that can solve the ‘casket’ game. It is basically where Portia’s suitors have to choose one casket that contains Portia’s portrait amongst the three caskets – one made out of gold, the other two made out of silver and lead. In act 1 scene 2, Portia expresses sympathy for herself, and how she thinks it is a cruel path for her to follow, not being able to marry the man she wishes to spend her life with. Quoting ‘…will of a dead father,’ we can tell that Portia’s father is not alive any longer. Thus, Portia could, at any time of her favor, break her father’s will and make her own decision – there were not a single obstacle in the way. However, as shown in the encounter with Morocco in act 2 scene 1, Portia follows her father’s will with respect, despite the fact that her freedom is limited. These two quotes show respectively how Portia struggles to take in her father’s will, yet oblige to her respectable father’s will. It has not only proven the fact that she is loyal to her own father, but hinted that Portia is capable of providing loyalty for people she respects.
Observant / Picky
"I pray thee, overname