Portia is The most perfect Of shakespearean heroines.do You agree
Answers
Answered by
1
Shakespeare has no heroes, only heroines, said Ruskin. In the context of this saying, yes, Portia does come out as a very witty and strong character in The Merchant of Venice. But does she come out to be the fair and just hero who saves the life of an innocent man? Not exactly.
Probably the audience in the Elizabethan era found it amusing to put down a Jew in the play hence hailing Portia as the hero. However, when one analyses the play, it is rather unfair on the supposedly good side to gang up on the Jew despite all the humiliation that Shylock had undergone, not to mention Antonio's outspoken anti-Semitic comments. The famous ‘hath not a Jew eyes?’ speech by Shylock reflects the voice of any ill treated sect in the society. One could not help but feel sympathy for the man, at least in the present day. There has also been criticism regarding Portia's role as a lawyer in the court room as well. She didn't just play a lawyer, she ended up playing the judge - deciding the fate of the case in the end all by herself. There have been views that the play only puts down the Jews in accordance with the structure of the society of the time and upholds the actions of Christians. The fact that no one in the play takes sympathy on the vastly humiliated Jew seems rather unfair. No doubt Portia presents an epitome of presence of mind, but when one analyses the play, she doesn't seem to be the fair and just one. Although her character is built on a very strong foundation, one cannot fail to notice the trickery that she uses to turn the bond against Shylock, who himself is blamed to be a shrew Jew. Seemed acceptable back in those days, but not very heroic, is it?
Hope it helps..... :)
Probably the audience in the Elizabethan era found it amusing to put down a Jew in the play hence hailing Portia as the hero. However, when one analyses the play, it is rather unfair on the supposedly good side to gang up on the Jew despite all the humiliation that Shylock had undergone, not to mention Antonio's outspoken anti-Semitic comments. The famous ‘hath not a Jew eyes?’ speech by Shylock reflects the voice of any ill treated sect in the society. One could not help but feel sympathy for the man, at least in the present day. There has also been criticism regarding Portia's role as a lawyer in the court room as well. She didn't just play a lawyer, she ended up playing the judge - deciding the fate of the case in the end all by herself. There have been views that the play only puts down the Jews in accordance with the structure of the society of the time and upholds the actions of Christians. The fact that no one in the play takes sympathy on the vastly humiliated Jew seems rather unfair. No doubt Portia presents an epitome of presence of mind, but when one analyses the play, she doesn't seem to be the fair and just one. Although her character is built on a very strong foundation, one cannot fail to notice the trickery that she uses to turn the bond against Shylock, who himself is blamed to be a shrew Jew. Seemed acceptable back in those days, but not very heroic, is it?
Hope it helps..... :)
Similar questions