Write a brief character - sketch of nerissa and indicate the importance of her role in the play
Answers
Nerissa is Portia's confident, friend and an advisor (sometimes). She is very intelligence and witty. She follows her mistress as when Portia marries Bassanio she also marries Gratiano.
She accompanies Portia to Venice as a clerk. This shows that she had a great importance in Portia's life. Nerissa also gives her advice when needed. As when Portia was complaining about her worries, she says that no one is happy in this world may it be rich or poor. She also adds that Portia's father was a wise person and often wise people have strange ideas on their death beds.
Answer:
She is witty and cheerful. Perhaps it is her lively nature that has won her the confidence of her mistress and the love of Gratiano. Her witty remarks are often at par with those of Portia. When Portia, for example, says that she is “aweary of this great world” echoing the words of Antonio, Nerissa’s witty comment is appropriate.
“You would be, sweet madam, if your miseries were in the same abundance as your good fortunes are : and yet, for aught I see, they are as sick that surfeit with too much as they that starve with nothing”.
Her squirmish with Gratiano in the ring episode is as witty and teasing as Portia’s is with Bassanio.
In short, she is a faithful companion, lively, witty and sententious. She easily impresses whoever comes close to her.