I. Act 3, sc iii
Portia : For mine own part,
I have toward heaven breathed a secret vow To live in prayer and contemplation,
Only attended by Nerissa here,
Until her husband and my lord’s return.
a) Whom is Portia addressing? What tasks has she entrusted this person? Why?
b) Explain ’Breathed a secret vow.’What has she actually planned?
c) Why does she say Nerissa will be with her?
d) What does Portia do after this? What does she ask her servant Balthazar to do?
e) What sort of person does Portia appear to be? Discuss.
Answers
Answer:
Cinna the poet is on his way to attend Caesar's funeral when he is accosted by a group of riotous citizens who demand to know who he is and where he is going. He tells them that his name is Cinna and his destination is Caesar's funeral.
Answer:
Portia is addressing Nerissa, her lady-in-waiting. She has entrusted Nerissa with the task of accompanying her in a life of prayer and contemplation until the return of their respective husbands.
Explanation:
a) Portia is addressing Nerissa, her lady-in-waiting. She has entrusted Nerissa with the task of accompanying her in a life of prayer and contemplation until the return of their respective husbands.
b) "Breathed a secret vow" means that Portia has made a solemn promise to herself and to God. She has planned to dedicate herself to a life of prayer and contemplation until her husband returns, which shows her strong devotion to her husband and her faith.
c) Portia says Nerissa will be with her because she trusts her and values her companionship. Nerissa is not only her lady-in-waiting but also her friend, and Portia wishes to share this new phase of her life with her.
d) After this, Portia asks Nerissa to go and prepare their house for their arrival. She also asks Balthazar, her servant, to go to the monastery and deliver a letter to Friar Lawrence, requesting him to visit her.
e) Portia appears to be a devout and loyal wife, who takes her responsibilities seriously. She is also a woman of strong principles and deep emotions. She values her friendship with Nerissa and seeks her companionship in her new life of prayer and contemplation. Her actions demonstrate her selflessness and her willingness to sacrifice her own desires for the sake of her husband's happiness.
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