PORTIA : Very vilely in the morning when he is sober and most vilely in the afternoon when he is drunk; when he is best he is a little worse than a man, and when he is worst he is little better than a beast. An the worst fall that ever fell, I hope I shall make shift to go without him.
Explain the quotation
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Explanation:
Enter Portia with Nerissa, her waiting-woman. Portia complains that she is wary of the world. Her dead father stipulated, in his will, that she herself cannot choose a husband.
Instead, Portia’s suitors will be given a choice of three chests: one gold, one silver, and one lead. One chest contains a portrait of Portia, and in choosing the chest that contains it, a suitor will win her hand in marriage. However, he must agree that if he chooses the wrong chest, he will not be permitted to marry anyone.
Nerissa lists suitors who have come to guess including the Neopolitan Prince, County Palatine, a French Lord, and an English nobleman. Portia mocks each of the gentlemen for their shortcomings, in particular, a German nobleman who was a drinker. When Nerissa asks if Portia remembers him, she says:
"Very vilely in the morning when he is sober, and most viley in the afternoon when he is drunk. When he is best he is little worse than a man, and when he is worse he is little better than a beast. And the worst fall that ever fell, I hope I shall make shift to go without him."
All the men listed left before guessing for fear that they would get it wrong and face the consequences.
Portia is determined to follow her father’s will and be won in the way by which he wished, but she is happy that none of the men who have come thus far have succeeded.
Nerissa reminds Portia of a young gentleman, a Venetian scholar and soldier who visited her when her father was alive. Portia remembers Bassanio fondly and believes him to be worthy of praise.
It is then announced that the Prince of Morocco is coming to woo her, and she is not particularly happy about it.
very wicked in the morning when he is not drunk.
and most wicked when he is drunk.
when he is at his best (behaviour) he is little worse than a normal man
and when he is at his worst behaviour (drunk nd all) he is little better than a beast.
is the worst fall that ever fell, means if he choose the correct casket
Portia hopes she shall run away without him.
hey just a help if you want
check out no fear Shakespeare website
and if any further notes you want contact me in answers.
i have the notes
icse 2020 elit mark= 97
hope it helps
gn