What do we get know about Portia in Act 4 Scene 1?
Portia is one of the most famous and beloved female characters in Shakespeare’s canon and her “Mercy Speech” is an excellent monologue for an actor’s repertoire. Portia is intelligent, charming and isn’t afraid to take her destiny into her own hands.
What is Portia’s speech about?
“The quality of mercy” is a speech given by Portia in William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice (Act 4, Scene 1). In the speech, Portia, disguised as a lawyer, begs Shylock to show mercy to Antonio. The speech extols the power of mercy, “an attribute to God Himself.” The quality of mercy is not strained.
What did Portia say in her famous speech of mercy?
“ Mercy, Portia tells those who would exact justice, “droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath.” When mercy is unreservedly dispensed, it becomes “the throned monarch better than his crown;” it is “an attribute of God himself.”
Why is Portia here Act 4 Scene 1?
Portia then enters the scene dressed as a lawyer. Portia makes the very famous speech on mercy here. She makes a very moving appeal to Shylock, but he only wants his bond, he only wants justice. After examining the bond Portia declares authenticity of the bond and permits Shylock to cut a pound of flesh from Antonio.
What characteristics traits of Portia are revealed in her speech?
Answer: She is honest,brave, compassionate,loyal, unselfish and beautiful. She gives one of the most memorable and sweet speech .
Why does Portia speak about mercy in the extract?
She tells him that mercy inspires the feeling of love and reverence. According to her if justice is administered with mercy, it is moderated and tempered. Then justice imparted becomes less cruel. When a king shows not only justice but also mercy, he appears to be God himself.
Why does Portia give mercy speech?
Thus Portia tried to prove that mercy is Divine and the person who shows mercy becomes like God. She requested Shylock to forgive the debt of Antonio and be merciful towards him because mercy is the soul of justice.
What does Portia say about mercy in Act 4?
Shylock asks why he must show mercy, and, in one of the play’s most famous speeches, Portia responds that “[t]he quality of mercy is not strained,” but is a blessing to both those who provide and those who receive it (IV. i. 179 ).
Where does this scene take place Why is Portia here Act 4 Scene 1?
This scene takes place in a court of justice in Venice. Before this extract, the Duke has described the hard-hearted adversary as an inhuman wretch without pity, totally lacking in mercy.
What are the three qualities of Portia?
1 Answer
- Portia is a rich lady of Belmont.
- (1) Her Beauty : Portia possesses not only physical beauty but also beauty of character.
- (2) Her Intelligence : Many suitors come to her and she understands their characters immediately.
- (3) Her Strong Sense of Justice : Portia possesses a strong sense of justice.
What negative trait do you find in Portia’s character if any?
Portia lays a huge part in being racist, especially with her suitors. She sees the Prince of Morocco as being black, so she purposely hints for him to choose the wrong casket, without giving him a chance to show his true self.
How does Portia show mercy?
He replies, “My deeds upon my head! I crave the law.” As he still seeks justice, Portia gives him one last chance to show mercy, when she tells Shylock to have a surgeon standing by, if Antonio bleeds to death. Shylock keeps insisting on the bond and justice.
How does Portia justify The quality of mercy?
Portia argues that mercy is better than justice. She says it is not “strained.” If something is strained, it is overused and under pressure: water resources, for example, might become strained during a drought. Mercy, she says, is underused. Mercy is abundant and freely poured on the earth by God, just like the rain.
How did Portia justify The quality of mercy?
But again, Portia cleverly suggests to Shylock that mercy in a monarch is a natural and becoming quality, suiting them even more than the crown upon their head. Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings; But mercy is above this sceptred sway.
Why does Portia say that mercy is twice blessed?
This is because mercy is a characteristic of God, and the person who grants it is acting with the spirit and majesty of God. Thus, mercy is twice blessed: it blesses the one who gets the merciful treatment and the one who grants it. Sceptre is the insignia of kingship. It represents power.
How does Portia save Antonio’s life?
On his advice Portia was able to cleverly turn the tables against Shylock and save Antonio. Bellario cleverly feigned sickness and requested the Duke to permit Portia, a young lawyer, to handle in his place.
What characteristics trait does Portia reveal in her speech?
What is the main problem that Portia has the deal with?
Portia is usually very self-controlled, but she reveals her anxiety concerning Bassanio a little later when he has arrived at her mansion and is about to choose one of the caskets. She has fallen in love with him, and her anxiety and confusion undo her.
What was Portia’s view on mercy?
Why it is difficult for Portia to save Antonio?
Just before Shylock can cut Antonio, Portia halts the process and says that the bond only calls for a pound of flesh and says nothing about blood. She also notes that Shylock must cut exactly a pound of flesh and not one drop of Christian blood can be shed during the procedure.
How did Portia turn the argument in favor of Antonio?
Answer: Portia saves Antonios life by: When they both go there, Portia uses her clever wit to save Antonio. she says that sure, the words are “a pound of flesh” but she analyzes the bond and quickly finds out that there is blood written so she uses that as a advantage against Shylock and wins the case.
Which quality of Portia is shown through her speech in the above extract?
<br> Portia is gracious, with all the noble qualities a woman should have which endear her to all. She has tremendous love in her heart that prompts her to do everything that can make her husband Bassanio happy. It is her love and faithfulness which makes her follow the instructions of her father.
Why can’t Portia choose her own husband?
Not only is every potential suitor out to get his hands on Portia’s wealth, but Portia doesn’t even get to choose her husband, because her (dead) dad set up a little contest (“lottery”) involving three caskets to ensure his little princess married the “right” man.
Why is Portia upset about choosing a husband?
Portia is upset because according to her father’s will, she could neither choose someone whom she likes nor reject someone whom she dislikes. Nerissa assures Portia that the right casket will only be chosen by someone who shall truely love her.