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Character sketch of portia in act 1 2 and 3

Answer 1

In Bassanio's contention, then, Portia would be an excellent bride. This fact is proven when he speaks about how men of stature, wealth, and prestige have come from far and wide to woo her, as he says, "the four winds blow in from every coast / Renowned suitors."

It is also evident that Portia is blond and that her beauty has driven many on a quest to win her affections. Bassanio states that "her sunny locks / Hang on her temples like a golden fleece."

Bassanio alludes to Jason, an ancient Greek mythological hero who went on a quest for the golden fleece, when he mentions how determined Portia's suitors are to obtain her love.

Portia also possesses mature self-knowledge. When she speaks to her handmaiden, Nerissa, she tells her that she believes herself to be better at teaching than she is at following her own advice. This suggests that she is stubborn. We learn, however, that in spite of her concern about the unfair demands of her father's will, she respects his wishes and will follow them. This means that she is loyal and dutiful.

Portia is also fastidious and seeks only the best for herself. She has, thus far, carefully scrutinized her suitors and seems displeased with all of them. None of them have met her high standards, and she wishes that all of them would just leave. There is also a hint of dishonesty when she suggests that the Duke of Saxony's nephew could be misled into choosing the wrong casket by placing a glass of wine "on the contrary casket."

Portia also displays prejudice when she informs Nerissa that if one of her suitors "have the condition of a saint and the complexion of a devil, I had rather he should shrive me than wive me." This suggests that she would rather have such a person listen to her confess than become his wife.

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HOMEWORK HELP > THE MERCHANT OF VENICE

How is Portia characterized in Act One, scene 2, of Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice?

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In Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice, the reader gets a sense of Portia's character in Act One, scene two.

Portia seems to be conflicted about doing good things for others. She has a discussion with Nerissa about money and happiness. (She has inherited her father's wealth, as well as his strange manner of choosing a partner for his daughter, even after his death.)

Portia admits that it's easy to preachbeing kind and helpful to others, but very rare to be the one person willing and able to actually put words into actions. The thrust of this part of her conversation seems to be that it is difficult to do what you know is right: but doesn't see this as an excuse.

The brain may devise laws for the blood, but a hot tempter leaps o'er a cold decree.

(In other words, "Cold" rules are all well and good unless you have a "hot" temper.)

In listening to what Portia has to say, we find she is intelligent—not a simpering young woman concerned with clothes and jewels as other ladies her age might be.

The conversation turns toward Portia's suitors. Portia has a reason that she would prefer not to marry each one Nerissa mentions, but her reasoning is sound. One man is a drunk, another talks of nothing but of horses, and another she cannot speak to at all because he speaks only English, which she speaks poorly. One famous line comes from these conversation regarding the drunk, the duke of Saxony's nephew:

When he is best he is a little worse than a man, and when he is worst he is little better than a beast.

Overall, I believe the reader learns that Portia is a woman of substance, but not just financial substance: she is concerned about helping others, and being committed to do the "right" thing. She wants to marry someone that she has something in common with, rather than passing her days with a stranger or a drunk. She is a bright, articulate woman, hoping for a bright future.