Portia's Character -- Merchant of Venice

Yesterday I read Merchant of Venice. It was written between the years 1594 and 1596 by William Shakespeare.

There are at least two phrases currently used in the English language that were first used in this play. The phrase Pound of flesh is a very common phrase referring to a gruesome deal that has its origins in the Merchant of Venice. Also the phrase All that glitters is not gold is a phrase that can be traced to the Merchant of Venice.

The most famous dialogue in this play is about the quality of mercy by Portia. According to Portia the quality of mercy is not strained. It drops like gentle rain from heaven. It is blessed twice. It blesses the person who gives the mercy and the person who receives the mercy. It is mightiest in the mightiest. It becomes the monarch more than his crown. The scepter of the king shows the force of temporal power. The scepter of the king makes us fear the king and be in dread of them. But Mercy is above the dominion of the scepter. Mercy is enthroned in the heart of kings. It is an attribute of God Himself. Mercy gives flavor to justice. Therefore although the plea of the Merchant of Venice is justice Portia asks him to consider the fact that in the course of justice none of us should see salvation. And just as each one of us needs to receive mercy each one of us needs to render deeds of mercy. Portia says her words about mercy lessens the justice of Shylock's plea and if the court in Venice were to strictly follow the dictates of justice then a sentence ought to be given against Shylock. This is the essence of Portia's speech which she says to persuade Shylock from avoiding the path he seemed determined to take and to protect Antonio from Shylocks wrath.

These famous lines emerge in the court scene when Shylock is getting ready to acquire his pound of flesh and refuses the offer for twice the amount of money made by Bassanio and Portia disguised as a male lawyer enters the scene and makes the famous bargain of not allowing one drop of blood to be dropped which reverses the plot of Shylock. Portia interprets Justice correctly and skillfully by saying that Shylock could have his pound of flesh with the condition that one drop of blood should not be shed. One of the reasons this play is very famous could be that it focuses on the ideas of mercy, justice, revenge etc. The play tries to understand these concepts.

In the essays accompanying the play in the book I am currently reading a criticism levelled against Portia is that Portia the advocate of mercy argues that Shylock not be allowed to have the money which he refused earlier. Would it have been more in the character of mercy to allow Shylock to have the money he refused earlier?

Portia goes from her home in Belmont to the court in Venice disguised as a young male lawyer to save Bassiano's friend. This reflects initiative and creativity to do something to save someone's life. She seems wise beyond her years to come up with an idea to protect Antonio and prevent Shylock from harming Antonio in the name of dispensing justice.

Portia has a close relationship with Nerissa. They discuss all the suitors received by Portia as part of the will of her father. Portia's condescending attitude toward all the suitors reflect the fact that she is not a fawning girl who is dazzled by the men who come to marry her. Her likes and dislikes are specific and she does not get easily carried away by the chivalrous words uttered by the suitors.

Portia is also very playful. Disguised as a lawyer she asks Bassanio for the ring which she gave him earlier. Later she asks Bassanio for the ring. When Bassanio tells her that he gave it to the lawyer there is a lot of drama. In the end all is made clear with her telling Bassanio that she was the lawyer.