allan.kang
05-18-2008, 12:21 PM
this is the revised version of my previously posted essay on the character of Portia in Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice.
Please read and shed some expertise!
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
William Shakespeare’s famous work, The Merchant of Venice, portrays a heroine who has an irreplaceable role. Although most Shakespearian women were made to appear inferior to men, Portia, in The Merchant of Venice, is placed on a high pedestal few characters can reach. She is introduced into the play as being a wealthy and beautiful lady whom many suitors try to court. She falls in love with Bassanio, a prodigal young man, and voluntarily disguises as a lawyer to save her lover’s dear friend, Antonio from the vengeful Jew, Shylock. Her heroine characteristics and significance in the play can be seen in her genuine love, her graciousness and her witty yet playful traits.
Portia’s love is made especially obvious by Shakespeare. When the character of Portia is first brought into the play in Bassanio’s description, we immediately learn that she lives in Belmont, a city known for its love and harmony. The city becomes her personality perfectly. As more is learned about Portia, the most obvious aspect of her love is shown through her overflowing affection for Bassanio. This is apparent to the audience as early as Act 1 when Portia says “I remember him (Bassanio) well, and I remember him worthy of thy praise.” (1.2.109-110). Later on, when Bassanio is about to chose the right casket, Portia is almost overwhelmed by her joy: “O love, be moderate, allay thy ecstasy, in measure rain thy joy, scant this excess!” (3.2.111-112). Love is giving and receiving, so it is with perfect empathy that Portia allows her beloved husband to leave to be by his friend’s side. She shows true love and understanding to Bassanio in letting him leave because she knows how dear that friend is to him. She also shows love to Antonio, a stranger at the time, when she lets her lover depart to be by his side. Portia, the character of love in The Merchant of Venice, is significant to the play because she represents the comparison between Belmont and Venice, herself and Shylock, and, most importantly, love and self-interest, one of the key themes in the play. It is because of her genuine love towards people that make her the heroine and one of the key characters in the play.
Portia’s love is enthroned deep within her. On the outside, one of the most memorable characteristics of Portia is her graciousness. Her elegance and composure at every circumstance and to every person is absolutely mesmerizing. Her lady-like virtues can be seen by the way she treats the people she despises such as the Princes who came to court her. Although Portia is not praising the Prince of Morocco at all when she says “…yourself, renowned prince, then stood as fair as any comer I have looked on yet for my affection.” (2.1.20-22), the Prince of Morocco does not know this so thus Portia is being gracious, at least on the outside. Similarly, Portia is exceptionally polite to the Prince of Arragon who also came to court her. She refers to him as “noble”, but she does not mean what she says at all. It is only after he has left that she tells Nerissa how she really feels: “O these deliberate fools! When they do choose they have the wisdom by their wit to lose.” (2.9.79-80). Portia’s graciousness is eloquent in the play because it conveys the theme of outside appearances, one of the most important themes in the play. Her grace and external appearance attracts these unsuccessful suitors who are only interested in surface things. Portia’s one of a kind grace and elegance enhances the play and leaves a deep impression in the minds of the audience.
The most important characteristic of Portia, the attribute that gives her that enchanting radiance, is her witty and playful temperament. Her wit has a constant effect on the play. It controls the storyline and directly shapes the play itself. For example, if Portia had not used her wit to save Antonio, the play would have been a short and tragic one. Often her witty nature is combined with her playfulness to form a powerful yet intriguing personality. For example, Portia’s plan to disguise as men and go to Venice impresses the audience: “And twenty of these puny lies I’ll tell, that men shall swear I have discontinu’d school above a twelvemonth.” (3.5.74-76). However, in the execution of the plan, Portia’s playful side emerges through the jokes she often makes with Nerissa: “when we are both accoutred like young men I’ll prove the prettier fellow of the two…” (3.5.63-64). The witty yet playful character of Portia makes Portia more of a round character. It adds a new dimension to her and makes her a more resonate part of the play.
The character of Portia is one of the most profound characters in The Merchant of Venice. There are multiple perspectives to view her from. Her character can lead you many ways. Despite her fascinating personality, her significance in the play relies on her loving nature, her graciousness and her witty yet playful side. She is a wonderful creation of Shakespeare, one of the most captivating, intelligent heroines in literature.
:flare: :flare: :flare: :flare: :flare: :flare: :flare: :flare: :flare:
Thankx a bunch for helping me achieve the best essay i can.
Please read and shed some expertise!
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
William Shakespeare’s famous work, The Merchant of Venice, portrays a heroine who has an irreplaceable role. Although most Shakespearian women were made to appear inferior to men, Portia, in The Merchant of Venice, is placed on a high pedestal few characters can reach. She is introduced into the play as being a wealthy and beautiful lady whom many suitors try to court. She falls in love with Bassanio, a prodigal young man, and voluntarily disguises as a lawyer to save her lover’s dear friend, Antonio from the vengeful Jew, Shylock. Her heroine characteristics and significance in the play can be seen in her genuine love, her graciousness and her witty yet playful traits.
Portia’s love is made especially obvious by Shakespeare. When the character of Portia is first brought into the play in Bassanio’s description, we immediately learn that she lives in Belmont, a city known for its love and harmony. The city becomes her personality perfectly. As more is learned about Portia, the most obvious aspect of her love is shown through her overflowing affection for Bassanio. This is apparent to the audience as early as Act 1 when Portia says “I remember him (Bassanio) well, and I remember him worthy of thy praise.” (1.2.109-110). Later on, when Bassanio is about to chose the right casket, Portia is almost overwhelmed by her joy: “O love, be moderate, allay thy ecstasy, in measure rain thy joy, scant this excess!” (3.2.111-112). Love is giving and receiving, so it is with perfect empathy that Portia allows her beloved husband to leave to be by his friend’s side. She shows true love and understanding to Bassanio in letting him leave because she knows how dear that friend is to him. She also shows love to Antonio, a stranger at the time, when she lets her lover depart to be by his side. Portia, the character of love in The Merchant of Venice, is significant to the play because she represents the comparison between Belmont and Venice, herself and Shylock, and, most importantly, love and self-interest, one of the key themes in the play. It is because of her genuine love towards people that make her the heroine and one of the key characters in the play.
Portia’s love is enthroned deep within her. On the outside, one of the most memorable characteristics of Portia is her graciousness. Her elegance and composure at every circumstance and to every person is absolutely mesmerizing. Her lady-like virtues can be seen by the way she treats the people she despises such as the Princes who came to court her. Although Portia is not praising the Prince of Morocco at all when she says “…yourself, renowned prince, then stood as fair as any comer I have looked on yet for my affection.” (2.1.20-22), the Prince of Morocco does not know this so thus Portia is being gracious, at least on the outside. Similarly, Portia is exceptionally polite to the Prince of Arragon who also came to court her. She refers to him as “noble”, but she does not mean what she says at all. It is only after he has left that she tells Nerissa how she really feels: “O these deliberate fools! When they do choose they have the wisdom by their wit to lose.” (2.9.79-80). Portia’s graciousness is eloquent in the play because it conveys the theme of outside appearances, one of the most important themes in the play. Her grace and external appearance attracts these unsuccessful suitors who are only interested in surface things. Portia’s one of a kind grace and elegance enhances the play and leaves a deep impression in the minds of the audience.
The most important characteristic of Portia, the attribute that gives her that enchanting radiance, is her witty and playful temperament. Her wit has a constant effect on the play. It controls the storyline and directly shapes the play itself. For example, if Portia had not used her wit to save Antonio, the play would have been a short and tragic one. Often her witty nature is combined with her playfulness to form a powerful yet intriguing personality. For example, Portia’s plan to disguise as men and go to Venice impresses the audience: “And twenty of these puny lies I’ll tell, that men shall swear I have discontinu’d school above a twelvemonth.” (3.5.74-76). However, in the execution of the plan, Portia’s playful side emerges through the jokes she often makes with Nerissa: “when we are both accoutred like young men I’ll prove the prettier fellow of the two…” (3.5.63-64). The witty yet playful character of Portia makes Portia more of a round character. It adds a new dimension to her and makes her a more resonate part of the play.
The character of Portia is one of the most profound characters in The Merchant of Venice. There are multiple perspectives to view her from. Her character can lead you many ways. Despite her fascinating personality, her significance in the play relies on her loving nature, her graciousness and her witty yet playful side. She is a wonderful creation of Shakespeare, one of the most captivating, intelligent heroines in literature.
:flare: :flare: :flare: :flare: :flare: :flare: :flare: :flare: :flare:
Thankx a bunch for helping me achieve the best essay i can.