Portia Quotes

Question 1

‘I may neither choose whom I would nor refuse whom I dislike; so is the will of a living daughter curbed by the will of a dead father’

Answer 1

This suggests that Portia feels trapped by her father’s will. Contextually, this links to how in the 16th century, it was common for women to have no say in who they married as their families often made the decision.

Question 2

‘When he is best, he is a little worse than a man; and when he is worst, he is little better than a beast.’

Answer 2

Portia does not attempt to fabricate her opinions with any false positivity or pretence. Here he even compares the Duke of Saxony’s nephew (one of her suitors) to an animal, introducing this play’s focus on human and animal categories, and the arbitrary way we can decide who and who isn’t a “man” or a “beast.” Portia’s suitors represent many of the world’s ethnicities, races, and nations; in her opinions towards these men, we first see the stereotyping and classification that will pervade the play’s action.

Question 3

‘I remember him well, and I remember him worthy of thy praise’

Answer 3

Just like Bassanio’s praise of Portia, Portia’s fond memory of Bassanio makes him seem likeable