Portia Portia Portia
As much as I really just wanted to use this title, I do have some actual things so say about our girl Portia. I am a big fan, and James seems to be, too, in his Princess Portia analogy. (Nice work James).
**disclaimer: she was totally racist towards the Prince of Morocco and that is not being excused or justified, that's just not what I am going to talk about here**
This girl is so smart. Shakespeare's portrayal of her is a super typical, modern "pro-women" representation where the woman isn't immediately acknowledged for her brains, just her looks. Then, phenomenally, the woman shows her fantastic intellect in a time of need and just blows everyone away. That's fine, I'm used to it, and it's probably super progressive of Shakespeare, so I should thank him for working with this idea, (I just wish we could develop a LITTLE bit further than the late 16th century portrayals, that's all).
Anyway, once we get to see past Portia's beauty, we get to see her brilliant brain, which is what we're all here for. Her ability to know what she wants and is able to get it without having to break the strict patriarchal rules of her father is badass. In modern society, many women, including myself, like to go against the grain to fight for what is right, and that often means breaking some rules and laws that are constricting our freedom. However, Portia is able to break from these chains using loopholes and wit instead of disobeying the law or her dad. "If I live to be as old as Sibylla, I will die as chaste as Diana, unless I be obtained by the manner of my father's will" (1.2.15). Here she is literally saying that she is prepared to die alone than to break her father's wishes for her. She is dutiful, but also super resourceful, and is still able to find her love. Not only does she do these things to help herself, which is totally warranted, she uses her quick wit to help others out too, WHICH IS EVEN COOLER. She uses what keeps her bound to actually save Antonio and condemn Shylock, taking the law and making it bid to her will. Not to mention having to dress up like a man to make it happen (big snaps to James' Mulan analogy here).
Shakespeare brings up problematic ideals here with making her have to dress up as a man in order to be shown respect and have her voice be heard; this highlighted the patriarchal hierarchy that confines women from before the 1500s all the way until present day. He could see that it was prevalent, whether he thought it was a problem and should be changed, I don't know, but at least he could recognize it so that someone someday could see the issues it causes.
Overall, I enjoy our dear Portia and her beautiful brain.
**disclaimer: she was totally racist towards the Prince of Morocco and that is not being excused or justified, that's just not what I am going to talk about here**
This girl is so smart. Shakespeare's portrayal of her is a super typical, modern "pro-women" representation where the woman isn't immediately acknowledged for her brains, just her looks. Then, phenomenally, the woman shows her fantastic intellect in a time of need and just blows everyone away. That's fine, I'm used to it, and it's probably super progressive of Shakespeare, so I should thank him for working with this idea, (I just wish we could develop a LITTLE bit further than the late 16th century portrayals, that's all).
Anyway, once we get to see past Portia's beauty, we get to see her brilliant brain, which is what we're all here for. Her ability to know what she wants and is able to get it without having to break the strict patriarchal rules of her father is badass. In modern society, many women, including myself, like to go against the grain to fight for what is right, and that often means breaking some rules and laws that are constricting our freedom. However, Portia is able to break from these chains using loopholes and wit instead of disobeying the law or her dad. "If I live to be as old as Sibylla, I will die as chaste as Diana, unless I be obtained by the manner of my father's will" (1.2.15). Here she is literally saying that she is prepared to die alone than to break her father's wishes for her. She is dutiful, but also super resourceful, and is still able to find her love. Not only does she do these things to help herself, which is totally warranted, she uses her quick wit to help others out too, WHICH IS EVEN COOLER. She uses what keeps her bound to actually save Antonio and condemn Shylock, taking the law and making it bid to her will. Not to mention having to dress up like a man to make it happen (big snaps to James' Mulan analogy here).
Shakespeare brings up problematic ideals here with making her have to dress up as a man in order to be shown respect and have her voice be heard; this highlighted the patriarchal hierarchy that confines women from before the 1500s all the way until present day. He could see that it was prevalent, whether he thought it was a problem and should be changed, I don't know, but at least he could recognize it so that someone someday could see the issues it causes.
Overall, I enjoy our dear Portia and her beautiful brain.
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