shakespeare
Discuss Shakespeare's presentation of Portia in 'The Merchant of Venice".For this essay I will be looking at the complex traits of personality evident in the character Portia in Shakespeare's 'The Merchant of Venice'. In order to do this I will discuss and analyse the contradictory sides of Portia such as her obedience to the Elizabethan ideals of women and her non-conformist behaviour towards those same ideals. Furthermore, with evidence, I will discuss how Portia's sense of cruelty is displayed through Shakespeare's language. In addition I will give my personal opinion on Portia. First I will explain the social context which, above all, would have had a large influence on the character Portia.The Elizabethan age existed in the latter part of the sixteenth century and the very early part of the seventeenth century. The Elizabethan attitude towards women differed from today. They thought women were less intelligent than men and therefore women would have had a relatively low status. Likewise women were thought to be unsuitable for important jobs. For example there were no female actors in Elizabethan times as they were thought to be incapable.
A further example of her causing unnecessary suffering to others is found in her treatment of Bassanio. Women had little choice over their destiny or future which was ultimately in the hands of men. "The quality of mercy is not strained,It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven"This reveals to us that Portia is able to use a complex persuasive technique such as a simile to make the quality of mercy sound virtuous and attractive. By dressing as a man as an act of friendship for Antonio, Portia has again showed us her deviation from the norm of Elizabethan belief. Further skill of language is indicated in Portia's speech. Thus on one hand we find that Portia is independently minded and able to make her own decisions (unusually for a woman of her times) but on the other hand we also learn that the same independence of mind can lead Portia into acts of cruelty. This extract shows Portia's skill with language which implies that she is intelligent. Is it not hard, Nerissa, that I cannot choose one, nor refuse none?"Through this quote it is evident that Portia is abiding to her fathers will and complying to the standards prevalent in the Elizabethan times. Queen Elizabeth would have also attracted many suitors in her time which further implies that Shakespeare wanted to make a connection between the two. e know them today undermined in Elizabethan times but also women were subject to arranged marriages which would happen particularly in higher class families. Despite living in a time where women were ideally perceived as subservient they were highly prized, esteemed and valued for their beauty. "When he is best he is little worse than a man, and when he is worst he is little better than a beast"This quote outlines the comprehensive talent that Portia has to mock the German duke and play on the two word opposites, 'best and worst', to dually reinforce her point. A divergence from a parent's will in Elizabethan times would have been scandalous. Another example of Portia's wit is also in Act One Scene Two.
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Acceptance Essays
