I like the character of Portia, although sometimes she can be so cruel you can even hate her then like her again, as if by the switch of a button. At the beginning of the scene, Nerissa offers Portia valuable advice, and Portia displays her reasonable, insightful personality by commenting that it is easier to give good advice than to follow it. Who is Portia in Julius Caesar? - Free Portia Character Analysis follows his own instructions. Her father's will stipulates that she can only marry the man who . This list of Shakespeare plays brings together all 38 plays in alphabetical order. I'm really glad that she saved Antonio from Shylock's "pound of flesh" thing. Students who find it difficult to write detailed essays. disguised as a man. Portia rejects the stuffiness that rigid adherence to This ability to work within constraints is also present when she helps Bassanio choose the correct casket by having her musicians play a song containing hints in the lyrics. SparkNotes PLUS Antonio - CliffsNotes I can easier teach twenty what were good to be done than be one of the twenty to follow mine own teaching. from Indiana University of Pennsylvania M.A. She is proud of her identity as a member of two prominent Roman families and takes her role as Brutus's wife seriously, demanding to be included in his plans. What is a character sketch of the six suitors in The Merchant of Venice? happy to see these particular suitors go, but sad that she has no Though still adhering to her fathers will, she subtly manipulates her surroundings to secure her own happiness. surprise that she emerges as the antidote to Shylocks malice. She hopes, of course, to soften his heart, knowing the outcome if he refuses. Don't use plagiarized sources. And so all yours. Or it could just be because Shylock wants flesh from her husband, this could help us understand why she gives him such a hard time. The original text plus a side-by-side modern translation of. Portia resents this, and subtly helps Bassanio, her favored suitor, solve the riddle so that they can marry. So she has Shylock stripped of most of his property and wealth. Another harmless character who she manages to get her claws out at, is Jessica. She puts Bassanio in the most uncomfortable situation, and she watches as he decides what to do. You may cancel your subscription on your Subscription and Billing page or contact Customer Support at custserv@bn.com. "he hath a horse better than the Neapolitan's, a better bad habit of frowning than the Count Palatine. "My students can't get enough of your charts and their results have gone through the roof."