Question

Portia in Act 3 is seen to be a typical woman of the Elizabethan era. Justify.

Answer 1

The Merchant of Venice - William Shakespeare

Explanation:

Act II is the scene where Portia dresses up like a man and goes to court in order to help Antonio, so that Shylock doesn't receive the pound of flesh.

Portia is beautiful, gracious, rich, intelligent, and quick-witted. Portia prevails over Shylock in Act III by agreeing that his contract very much entitles him to his pound of flesh, but adding that it does not allow for any loss of blood. No one will be able to get the pound of flesh without spilling blood. So, Portia is able to effectively nullify the contract in the hands of Shylock through her attention to detail and intelligence to interpret the law to work for her.