The Character of Portia in Merchant of VeniceIn his Merchant of Venice, Shakespeare wants the reader to admire Portia, arguably the most powerful character in the play. However, it is easy to confuse the word "admiration" with simply appreciating someone's positive virtues. Rather, we should love Portia because of these elements that make her a multifaceted character. Although she may come across as a “lessonless girl,” she is also conniving, manipulative, and powerful. Three instances that effectively display his prowess and therefore earn our admiration for him occur during the coffin, trial, and ring scenes. One of the reasons Shakespeare wants us to like Portia is the respect that radiates from her during the coffin. scene. The respect is clearly demonstrated when she follows the prescriptions of her father's will, which stipulates that she must be married to the one who manages to solve the riddle of the coffins and choose the one which contains her image: I can neither choose who I I would not refuse the one who displeases me, so the will of a living daughter is curbed by the will of a deceased father. (I.2.22-24)Portia realizes that she has little say in the matter, and nowhere does she allude to not following her father's wishes and marrying whomever she pleases. Portia's faith in her father is unwavering as she engages again and again in the ritual of entertaining a potential suitor. However, that's not to say that Portia likes her predicament, because that's clearly not the case. When Morocco fails to choose the right coffin and leaves distraught, he is relieved and exclaims: “A gentle riddance” (II.7.78). Portia must also be admired for her unwavering love and support for her Bassanio. Whi...... middle of paper ...... fully frees Antonio (and perhaps even Bassanio) and at the same time erases Shylock. Therefore, Portia is a character that Shakespeare intends to highly admire. She has qualities that make her adored by some and envied by others. She is highly competent in every task she undertakes; yet she retains an aura of compassion and a strong sense of commitment. She puts herself in danger for the sake of her Bassanio. On the other hand, when she's upset - or better yet when something she holds dear is threatened - she's willing to wreak havoc to make things better again. Works Cited Shakespeare, William. The Merchant of Venice. 1967. Ed. Merchant W. Moelwyn. The New Penguin Shakespeare. London: Penguin Books, 1996.- - -. Othello. 1968. Ed. Kenneth Muir. The New Penguin Shakespeare. London: Penguin Books, 1996.