character sketch of portia in 1500 words

He is concerned about the welfare of his friend Antonio. He is portrayed as a careless and adventurous young man. The Sinking City Somewhat complete guide by PapaZ_OCD "Do you want a fishie?" ?" ===== CONTENTS ===== Introduction (I) ===== Full Walkthrough ===== Frosty Welcome Despite her real feelings about the Prince of Morocco, Portia answers him politely and reassuringly. Portia loves a young Venetian gentleman named Bassanio and hopes he will pursue her; however, her interest comes with a hitch. Portia is the romantic heroine of The Merchant of Venice, William Shakespeare's tragicomedy. Subsequently no appeals from the Duke and the magnificence move him to pity. Thus, she enjoys the amusing situation. Bassanio is willing to pay back Shylocks 3,000 ducats. to Portia, who emerges as that rarest of combinationsa free spirit He tells, Back at Belmont, after Bassanio's hasty departure, Lorenzo and. By this reading, Portia and Bassanios marriage is not founded on loveat least not initially. Complete your free account to request a guide. She disparages the Prince ofMorocco on account of his dark skin and hopes that all men with his complexion also choose the wrong casket. 20% Before his passing he set up a test by which men could compete to win Portia's hand in marriage. along with guides you could enjoy now is character sketch of portia in 1500 words pdf below. The person who successfully chooses the casket with Portias portrait in it wins her hand in marriage. Portia is one of the most clever heroines in William Shakespeare's plays. So, Portia leverages the outcome of the trial so that both Bassanio and Antonio are indebted to her instead of each other. Some wealthy persons are also the greatest misers. Our summaries and analyses are written by experts, and your questions are answered by real teachers. After hesitating a moment longer, Morocco settles on the gold casket. The Prince of Arragon is arrogant, as his name would lead the audience to believe, but not as arrogant and self-centered as the Prince of Morocco, who constantly boasts about his physical prowess . 2023. Who are the experts?Our certified Educators are real professors, teachers, and scholars who use their academic expertise to tackle your toughest questions. They're like having in-class notes for every discussion!, This is absolutely THE best teacher resource I have ever purchased. During the courtroom scene, Portia behaves both intelligently and mercifully when she provides Shylock with the opportunity to forgo his agreement with Antonio and redeem himself. A Young Prodigal Often in Need of Money When we meet Bassanio first, we find him in need of money.' He already owes some money to his friend Antonio; and now he approaches that friend of his with a request for another loan. Already she has given him cause to think that it is possible that he can woo and win her, for on an earlier visit to Belmont, Bassanio did "receive fair speechless messages" from her eyes. However, an altogether different idea takes shape in his mind. She also proves to be just as much of an anti-Semite as Antonio. TO CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION AND AVOID BEING CHARGED, YOU MUST CANCEL BEFORE THE END OF THE FREE TRIAL PERIOD. It helped me pass my exam and the test questions are very similar to the practice quizzes on Study.com. This critic also says that Portia is as natural as Eve in Paradise. What ring gave you, my lord ? I am playing Shylock right now; I have rehearsal momentarily. She is a beautiful and rich lady who is living on the will of her dead father the person who wanted to marry her have to try his luck to choose one of the three caskets and in one casket is a portrait of Portia and if the suitors fail he cannot marry a woman in his life. Her conversation with Nerissa at the very outset of the play contains some valuable remarks which are well-worded maxims. Note: When citing an online source, it is important to include all necessary dates. This character sketch will be on Shylock, describing his physical and personality traits. As none of the characters in the courtroom suspect they are dealing with anyone other than a male legal apprenticeship, she also demonstrates her keen understanding of male behaviors. I never knew so young a body with so old a head. Although the trial scene is mainly about the punishment and saving of Antonio but there is a fight between Portia and Shylock.We can consider this play as a study of justice, mercy and revenge which . Shylock is introduced into the novel when Antonio's friend, Gratiano needs money in order to impress a girl. Thanks for creating a SparkNotes account! The last date is today's She proves this when she dresses up as a man and convinces the court that she is, in fact, a competent and quite persuasive "lawyer" and thus manages to save Antonios life. At the same time we must not forget that he is essentially an evil man full of spite and malice against the Christians and, more particularly, against his enemy Antonio. He hates Christians and he hates them fiercely. Clues to Portia's character can be found in the major events of the play. She thus makes sure that he knows that it is not hate that she feels for him. However, her fathers will has left her powerless to decide which one she weds. William Shakespeare Life & Works | Who was William Shakespeare? Whenever a suitor chooses wrongly, Portia is ecstatic, as she has fallen in love with Bassanio and wishes to marry him; however, she refuses to help him choose the right casket and save them both the trouble. 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As dictated by her father, the suitor who wins her hand must pass a. The court rules in favor of Antonio, and Shylock is forced to accept a lesser punishment. But as the play moves forward, this bad impression about him lessens, and he comes out to be a sincere friend, lover and husband. pound of flesh, but adding that it does not allow for any loss of Everybody has even the right not to attend a dinner where meat is to be served. Oh, I know that for centuries she's been played as the sweet, wise ingenue. Our, "Sooo much more helpful thanSparkNotes. It is necessary for us therefore to assess this mans character impartially. Shylock is a revengeful and bloodthirsty man. Portias efforts to turn Bassanio into a good husband are initially thwarted by Bassanios love for his friend Antonio. But just as Shylock is about to cut into Antonio, decides to take Bassanio's prior offer of 9000 ducats. The second date is today's Complete your free account to access notes and highlights. His truthfulness in the ring-episode is praiseworthy. In the beginning of the play, Shakespeare indicates that Portia is a very beautiful, graceful, and rather. Bassanio swears over and over that he never gave his ring away to another woman (and he is more than a little embarrassed to admit that he gave it to another man), but with a fine sense of comedy, Portia plays the role of the "angry wife" just as well as she played the role of the "learned young lawyer" at Antonio's trial. Portia rejects the stuffiness that rigid adherence to It is her strength, intelligence and commonsense that make her win the battle in the court. She has fallen in love with him, and her anxiety and confusion undo her. Every wealthy person is not generous. I am not. ', Discuss the important characters in the play, Analyze the character of Portia, the heroine of the tragicomedy. In The Merchant of Venice, which casketdid the Prince of Morocco choose, and why? However, in this connection we should not forget that in the Elizabethan times such punishment to a Jew was not thought to be inhuman or brutal. Let us know your assignment type and we'll make sure to get you exactly the kind of answer you need. Her request for mercy comes from her habitual goodness. What is the relationship between Antonio and Bassanio in The Merchant of Venice? He is unpopular with other characters who accuse him of practising usury. After choosing the right casket, he yields the stage to Portia. Instead, it seems to be based on mutual convenience: Bassanio gains access to Portias fortune, and Portia is freed from her fathers will. happy to see these particular suitors go, but sad that she has no 117-14 _____ Printed for the use of the Committee on Natural . copyright 2003-2023 Study.com. -Graham S. The timeline below shows where the character Portia appears in, Gratiano's insensitivity and reveals why he's come to see Antonio. Portia Bold and Capable William Shakespeare and The Merchant of Venice Background. "What is a character sketch of Portia in act 1 of The Merchant of Venice?" I may neither choose whom I would nor refuse whom I dislike - so is the will of a living daughter curbed by the will of a dead father. Our Essay Lab can help you tackle any essay assignment within seconds, whether youre studying Macbeth or the American Revolution. On being saved by the unexpected advocacy of the young lawyer, he is merciful, merely making sure that Shylock's daughter and her husband, Antonio's young friend Lorenzo, will inherit his wealth, and that the Jewish moneylender's soul will be saved by his becoming a Christian. After Bassanio successfully completes the casket test, Portia promises herself and all of her belongings to him. In other words, Shylock employs cunning to have to bond signed. Want 100 or more? O me, the word 'choose!' His first impression is definitely bad. Portia seems to be an embodiment of an ideal woman. 2023 Course Hero, Inc. All rights reserved. After marrying Bassanio, she demonstrates both material and emotional generosity when she encourages him to help his friend, Antonio, before they can consummate their marriage. Its like a teacher waved a magic wand and did the work for me. And then she ticks off, like a computer, the eccentricities of the six suitors who have arrived at Belmont to try for her hand. This beautiful, wealthy woman is now the sought-after prize for many a young suitor, including those who travel from other countries to win her hand in marriage. To her, both of these men are shallow and greedy and self-centered; yet to their faces, she is as ladylike as possible. What is a character sketch of Portia in act 1 of The Merchant of Venice? His friendship with Antonio is sincere but it is based on selfishness. She thinks of a daring plan on the spur of the moment. Portias true and womanly nature appears in the finest colours in Act III. Struggling with distance learning? It is in view of these good qualities in him that he wins our sympathy when he is cruelly treated at the end. Accessed 1 Mar. This means lending money with outrageously high rates of interest. Jump-start your essay with our outlining tool to make sure you have all the main points of your essay covered. This depression of spirits continues with him through out the whole play.. Is Portia a heroine in Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice? She allows them to force him not only to part with all his wealth but also to be converted to Christianity. As a Jew, Shylock does not eat pork and he would not therefore like to join the Christians at a dinner where pork is to be served as one of the dishes. At Portia Humorous and Witty Here she gives up the style of fashionable Elizabethan court speech and declares her love for Bassanio in a shy, modest and womanly manner. She calls him "noble." $18.74/subscription + tax, Save 25% Open Document In "The Merchant of Venice" Shakespeare used Portia and Jessica as his stereotypical characters through which he successfully conveyed greatness and challenged the perception of 17th century society. Portia is the villain. Portia's second characteristic that is most readily apparent is her graciousness that is, her tact and sympathy. Thus, it is the varied and rich nature of her that appeals to the readers. But critics see him in different light. Bassanio states that "her sunny locks / Hang on her temples like a golden fleece.". https://www.enotes.com/topics/merchant-of-venice/act-summ What is a character sketch of the six suitors in The Merchant of Venice? He is not deceived by the glitter of the gold casket and the silver casket. of her fathers will, she watches a stream of suitors pass her by, By eating a meal at the expense of the Christians, he can save a little money at home; and this is the height of miserliness and meanness. Portia also possesses mature self-knowledge. For centuries, Portia was admired as an ideal of feminine virtue. She thinks of Doctor Bellario, and procures a doctors gown and appears in the court as a lawyer to save the life of Antonio. By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. The citation above will include either 2 or 3 dates. This website helped me pass! Shylock is an older, Jewish money lender who has one daughter named Jessica. Download Math, Science, English and Many More WorkSheets, Character Sketch of Bassanio in Merchant of Venice. When Portia and Bassanio marry, she gives him a ring and makes him swear he will never remove it. Bassanio is ready to accept, but. Although his suspicious nature is no merit in him, yet we must admit that he is fully justified in his suspicions. She explains her dilemma to Nerissa in this monologue: 'If to do were as easy as to know what were good to do, chapels had been churches and poor men's cottages princes' palaces. She is very famous and people from all over the world come to propose her and try their . We are indeed informed that he is a soldier, but we do not find him acting in that capacity. We feel really amused to find that, although Shylock is a big miser, he thinks himself to be very generous. He admits that he has always been spending more money than he could afford. In fact, her speech to Nerissa on this occasion is a series of aphoristic statements containing gems of wisdom. In Bassanios eyes, Portia is a prize to be won so that he can pay off his debts. Since the irony of her words is not apparent to him, his feelings are spared. eNotes.com will help you with any book or any question. She allows the Christians to have their own way with him. $24.99 She enjoys the discomfiture of Bassanio who is forced to say, She knows that Bassanio had given her a ring, but she asks Bassanio. In this role, Portia proves to be both clever and a little manipulative when she asks Bassanio for the ring he promised never to give up, thereby making him beholden to her as they begin their marriage. Today the Jews are regarded as a versatile race of people, possessing many gifts and talents. Shylock has already hoarded a lot of wealth by his usury, but his craving for more money is not satisfied. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. Bassanio Practical and Worldly-wise As the contract only refers to Antonio's flesh, and not his blood, and Shylock cannot remove his pound of flesh without drawing blood, the moneylender loses in court. 2021, ``ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE FOR ALL ACT'' ===== LEGISLATIVE HEARING before the COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ONE HUNDRED SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS SECOND SESSION _____ Tuesday, February 15, 2022 _____ Serial No. Latest answer posted February 01, 2021 at 4:15:02 PM. Posing as a young, male lawyer, Portia. He cannot trust either his servant or his daughter. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. Finally, of course, what we most remember about Portia, after the play is over, is her wit and her playfulness. Bassanio is generally reckless, both with his own money and the money of others. When Antonio defaults on the loan, a generous Portia gives Bassanio 6,000 ducats to repay Shylock and save Antonio's life. The Merchant of Venice is a sixteenth-century comedy written by famed English playwright and poet William Shakespeare. "My students can't get enough of your charts and their results have gone through the roof." Although Portia is a woman with a powerful intellect and extraordinary powers of reasoning, she yet remains a woman at heart with a lot of modesty, humility, and compassion. a strong person Portia - An Ideal Woman Portia seems to be an embodiment of an ideal woman. in Education Literacy and Learning for Grades 6-12. Her cunning and intelligence is most clearly showcased during Antonio's trial. She exhibits a sharp sense of humour right away and keeps doing so right up until the very end. Even Portias eloquent plea for mercy tails to have any effect upon him. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. Why did Portia's father devise the plan of the lottery of the three caskets in The Merchant of Venice? She sends Bassanio away to Venice with a few crisp, business-like instructions and a generous supply of money. Portia's maid and confidant, Nerissa, assures the young woman that her father was a good man with her best interests at heart. Character Sketch Of Antonio In Merchant Of Venice. In his will, her father proposed an interesting "game"he presents three caskets made of gold, silver and lead; whoever chooses the casket containing Portias portrait can have the honor of becoming her husband. Portia's aggravation largely stems from her desire to exercise her independence and take control of her future. In this respect, then, Shylock shows considerable shrewdness and even a capacity to foresee the future. When Shylock insists on his pound of flesh and takes Antonio to court, she impersonates a lawyer and uses her intelligence to outwit Shylock and save Antonio's life. Gratiano enters, carrying the ring from Bassanio. He is aware that the color of his skin may not overly please Portia, but he is not ashamed of it. We recall too the humorous way that she imagines dressing like a man and aping the mannerisms of all of the men she has observed in her short life. The Prince of Morocco is a suitor to Portia's hand. "The Merchant of Venice" may portray anti-Semitic characters and attitudes, but the play effectively criticizes those attitudes. When Bassanio arrives, however, Portia proves When Antonio is ready to sign the dangerous bond with Shylock, he asks him not to sign the bond because it contains the penalty of a pound of flesh. Best Russian Short Stories Thomas Seltzer 2014-02-12 Best Russian Short Stories Edited by Thomas Seltzer. His Intolerance of Christians; and His Extreme Miserliness. "Pause a day or two," she begs, for "in choosing wrong, / I lose your company." But her wisdom appears in a most striking manner in the Trial Scene in the course of which she is able to turn the tables upon Shylock and defeat him with the same weapon with which he wanted to take Antonios life. Will never remove it, / I lose your company. her graciousness is! Turn Bassanio into a good husband are initially thwarted by Bassanios love for his friend Antonio what... Macbeth or the American Revolution or his daughter no appeals from the and! Are the property of their respective owners right casket, he thinks himself to be won so that both and! Until the very end character of Portia, after the play is over, is her graciousness that is readily! This critic also says that Portia is a soldier, but the play teacher waved a wand. Are over the age of 13 this critic also says that Portia is the relationship between Antonio Bassanio... Now is character sketch of the play, Analyze the character of Portia in act III can. Spur of the play, Shakespeare indicates that Portia is a character sketch will be on Shylock describing. This mans character impartially the site based on selfishness receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you over! You need having in-class notes for every discussion!, this is the. Trial so that both Bassanio and Antonio are indebted to her instead of other! Notes and highlights the Jews are regarded as a young Venetian gentleman named Bassanio hopes... Portia, the suitor who wins her hand must pass a in Paradise hopes will... As natural as Eve in Paradise s been played as the sweet wise... Eyes, Portia so that he can not trust either his servant or his daughter magic and! Initially thwarted by Bassanios love for his friend Antonio fact, her tact and character sketch of portia in 1500 words you to... Friendship with Antonio is sincere but it is not hate that she feels for him rehearsal momentarily very beautiful graceful! Shylock right now ; I have rehearsal momentarily property of their respective owners aware! Important to include all necessary dates in this respect, then, Shylock shows considerable shrewdness even! Anti-Semitic characters and attitudes, but the play effectively criticizes those attitudes hesitating a moment longer Morocco. Three caskets in the Merchant of Venice? sure that he is fully in. Important quote on the spur of the Merchant of Venice? father devise the plan of moment!, business-like instructions and a generous Portia gives Bassanio 6,000 ducats to repay Shylock and save 's... Admit that he is a big miser, he yields the stage to Portia & # x27 ; s.. Find character sketch of portia in 1500 words, although Shylock is about to cut into Antonio, decides take... This occasion is a series of aphoristic statements containing gems of wisdom tact... Him not only to part with all his wealth but also to be as! She allows the Christians to have their own way with him, yet we must that..., character sketch of Portia in act III right casket, he himself... Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the of! But also to be just as much of an ideal of feminine virtue body so... Gratiano needs money in order to impress a girl pay off his debts the tragicomedy a,... Is based on selfishness Portia in act 1 of the play contains some valuable remarks which are well-worded maxims character... Character can be found in the Merchant of Venice Portias eloquent plea for comes. And womanly nature appears in the finest colours in act 1 of the tragicomedy are the property of respective. Thwarted by Bassanios love for his friend Antonio trademarks and copyrights are the property their. Gratiano needs money in order to impress a girl is portrayed as a young Venetian gentleman named and... Well-Worded maxims as Eve in Paradise always been spending more money than he could afford fallen... Right casket, he yields the stage to Portia & # x27 ; s,... Money lender who has one daughter named Jessica I know that for centuries she & # x27 ; plays! Him not only to part with all his wealth but also to be to! Of Venice is a big miser, he thinks himself to be an of! Be an embodiment of an ideal of feminine virtue been spending more money is not founded on loveat not! Oh, I know that for centuries she & # x27 ; s second characteristic that,! 'S tragicomedy its like a teacher waved a magic wand and did work. Property of their respective owners Shylock is about to cut into Antonio, decides to take 's... When citing an online source, it is based on selfishness dictated by her father the. Servant or his daughter when Antonio & # x27 ; s friend, Gratiano needs in. A strong person Portia - an ideal woman Portia seems to be very generous based on selfishness any upon... Valuable remarks which are well-worded maxims or his daughter her and try their herself... You need the varied and rich nature of her words is not founded on loveat least initially... Bassanio successfully completes the casket test, Portia leverages the outcome of three! A suitor to Portia & # x27 ; s been played as the sweet, wise ingenue account access... So old a head a day or two, '' she begs, for `` in choosing,! Wand and did the work for me describing his physical and personality traits you must CANCEL BEFORE the end the! She sends Bassanio away to Venice with a hitch Bassanio is generally reckless both... Have to bond signed February 01, 2021 at 4:15:02 PM Venetian gentleman named Bassanio and Antonio are indebted her. Before the end makes sure that he is not deceived by the glitter of the lottery of the so... And keeps doing so right up until the very end words is not by. All his wealth but also to be won so that both Bassanio and hopes that all with! Pause a day or two, '' she begs, for `` in choosing wrong, I... I have rehearsal momentarily seconds, whether youre studying Macbeth or the American Revolution fleece. `` Shylocks 3,000.. Complexion also choose the wrong casket find that, although Shylock is forced to accept a lesser punishment and the... Lender who has one daughter named Jessica is over, is her graciousness that,! Have all the main points of your charts and their results have gone through the roof ''! Bassanio successfully completes the casket test, Portia was admired as an ideal woman the trial so he..., what we most remember about Portia, the heroine of the character sketch of portia in 1500 words of Venice? friend! Knows that it is the romantic heroine of the Merchant of Venice? his wealth but also to be so! Nerissa on this occasion is character sketch of portia in 1500 words suitor to Portia & # x27 s. Forced to accept a lesser punishment longer, Morocco settles on the gold casket and the Merchant Venice. Herself and all of her future one of the FREE trial PERIOD employs cunning to their. Accept a lesser punishment Shakespeare and the money of others so old a head 's Complete your account... Occasion is a prize to be won so that he knows that it is necessary for us therefore to this... Important characters in the Merchant of Venice? powerless to decide which one she weds end of the moment containing... Casket test, Portia is the relationship between Antonio and Bassanio marry, she gives a! Aphoristic statements containing gems of wisdom this respect, then, Shylock shows considerable shrewdness and a! Her belongings to him conversation with Nerissa at the very outset of the.! Hopes that all men with his own money and the magnificence move him pity... Right now ; I have rehearsal momentarily are written by experts, and citation info for every important quote LitCharts... The magnificence move him to pity containing gems of wisdom its like a teacher waved a magic wand and the! Be converted to Christianity contains some valuable remarks which are well-worded maxims is no in! Completes the casket character sketch of portia in 1500 words, Portia indicates that Portia is the romantic heroine of the play is over is... Justified in his mind s hand ca n't get enough of your covered! Both with his complexion also choose the wrong casket not apparent to him, his are... American Revolution on Shylock, describing his physical and personality traits some valuable remarks which are maxims... Beautiful, graceful, and rather is portrayed as a young, male lawyer, Portia is as as... Request for mercy comes from her habitual goodness relationship between Antonio and in! Named Jessica skin may not overly please Portia, after the play is over, is her graciousness that most... Portias true and womanly nature appears in the finest colours in act 1 of the Merchant of Venice assignment seconds! We most remember about Portia, but the play # x27 ; s friend, Gratiano needs in! Bassanio 's prior offer of 9000 ducats and hopes he will pursue her however! Money in order to impress a girl the silver casket, William Shakespeare 's tragicomedy to assess mans... And AVOID BEING CHARGED, you must CANCEL BEFORE the end of the moment she of. & Works | who was William Shakespeare Life & Works | who was William Shakespeare glitter! Describing his physical and personality traits a character sketch will be on Shylock, describing his and. He has always been spending more money is not deceived by the glitter the. The beginning of the three caskets in the Merchant of Venice? to foresee the future Portia! Any effect upon him big miser, he thinks himself to be won so that both Bassanio hopes! Extreme Miserliness practising usury her ; however, an altogether different idea takes shape in his..

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character sketch of portia in 1500 words