Portia
Now he goes,
With no less presence, but with much more love,
Than young Alcides, when he did redeem
The virgin tribute paid by howling Troy
To the sea-monster: I stand for sacrifice;
The rest aloof are the Dardanian wives,
With bleared visages, come forth to view
The issue of the exploit. Go, Hercules!
i) Who is Alcides? What is the ‘virgin tribute’? How did Alcides save the virgin tribute? [3]
ii) In what way is Bassanio compared to young Alcides? Why does Portia ‘stand for sacrifice’
here? [3]
iii) Explain the meaning of: [4*1=4]
a) howling Troy:
b) bleared visages:
c) the issue of the exploit:
d) Dardanian wives
Answers
Answer :
1. Alcides rescued Hesoine, the virgin princess of Troy, from being sacrificed as a virgin tribute to a sea monster. Alcides did it not for love, but for the horses offered as a reward. Portia imagines herself as Heroine and Bassanio rescuing her with more love than Alcides had for the girl.
2.Bassanio looks like young Hercules who saved the life of Virgin Heroine from being sacrificed to the sea-monster. Portia's fate is similar to her. Nerissa and others standing nearby represent the women of Troy.
3. Meaning
a) Howling Troy : howling Troy" is an allusion to King Laomedon and his city of Troy.
b) Bleared visages : Bleared visages" are the tear-drenched faces of those watching the fate of Hesione--in Portia's allusion, herself.
c) The issue of the exploit : The issue of the exploit" refers to Hesione's being sacrificed because of her father's wrong doing.
d) Dardanian wives : The Dardanian wives are the women who stand "with bleared [crying] visages [faces]" to watch Hesione being sacrificed to the sea-monster. At this point, Portia is waiting to see which casket Bassanio will choose.
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