Question 1.
Portia. I could teach you How to choose right, but then I am forsworn; But if you do, you'll make me wiah a sin, That I had been forsworn. Beshrew your eyes, So will I never be: so may you miss me They have o'erlook'd me and divided me:
a) What reasons does Portia give for not teaching Bassanio how to choose?
b) "You'll make me wish a sin." What sin is referred to here? On what condition will this sin be comitted?
c) State what Portia has said before this extract to indicate that she is in love with Bassanio.
d) Portia talks here about 'teaching'. What does she say about learning' later in this scene?
e)State briefly your impression of Portia as a lover.
Answers
B.)Answer:
She means that she could give him a clue or tell him which casket to choose, but she would then be breaking an oath. It is a condition of her father's will that she may not provide any assistance to a suitor for she would then lose her inheritance.
C.)Answer:
Portia speaks the language of a romantic lover when she says that Bassanio's eyes have bewitched and divided her. One half of her already belongs to Bassanio. The other half which belongs to her too belongs to Bassanio.
D)Answer:
She tells Nerissa later that they are leaving for Venice in male dresses. She will be a lawyer and Nerissa her clerk. She says she will explain to her the whole plan on the way.
E)Answer:
From her cautious confessions and nervous style, we can surely conclude that she is passionately in love with the handsome suitor. Portia speaks the language of a romantic lover when she says that Bassanio's eyes have bewitched and divided her. One half of her already belongs to Bassanio.