The Merchant Of Venice Essay Portia

Portia is also fond of wordplay and proverbs, frequently quoting and coining them, which was considered a sign of wisdom and sharp wit in Elizabethan era.Some suggest that the character of Portia was based on queen Elizabeth herself, who also had a penchant for proverbs.

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Portia is one of the most prominent and appealing of the heroines in Shakespeare's mature romantic comedies.

She is beautiful, gracious, rich, intelligent and quick-witted, with high standards for her potential romantic partners.

In the court scene, Portia finds a technicality in the bond, thereby outwitting the Jewish moneylender Shylock and saving Antonio's life from the pound of flesh demanded when everyone else including the Duke presiding as judge and Antonio himself fails.

It is Portia who delivers one of the most famous speeches in The Merchant of Venice: Despite Portia's lack of formal legal training, she wins her case by referring to the details of the exact language of the law.

If he chooses the right casket, he wins Portia's hand in marriage.

If he chooses the incorrect casket, he must leave and never seek another woman in marriage.

She is bound by the lottery set forth in her father's will, which gives potential suitors the chance to choose between three caskets composed of gold, silver and lead.

If they choose the right casket – the casket containing Portia's portrait and a scroll – they win her hand in marriage.

She will not choose a husband for herself; instead, potential suitors must enter a lottery designed by her late father.

Each man must select one of three caskets, and the bachelor who opens the casket containing Portia’s portrait earns her hand in...