Volu m e II - Purdue University Calumet

In an attempt to liberate Antonio from his barbaric bond with Shylock, Portia disguises herself as a
male lawyer and eloquently gains Antonio’s freedom through impressive knowledge of the law and
extremely persuasive linguistic expression. Though women during the time of Shakespeare’s writing were
the minority and vastly uneducated, it is Portia’s rhetoric and shrewdness that inevitably lead to Antonio’s
life being spared. Her extreme wisdom and cunning allow her to devise a plan that will dupe not only
Shylock but all of the men in the hearing including her fiancé. Portia establishes not only her legal
credibility, but also encourages Shylock to trust her. “The quality of mercy is not strained. It droppeth as
the gentle rain from upon the place beneath. It is twice blest: it blesseth him that gives and him that
takes…Mercy is above the sceptered sway; it is enthroned in the hearts of kings; it is an attribute to God
himself; And earthly power doth then show likest God’s when mercy seasons justice. Therefore, Jew,
though justice be thy plea, consider this, that in the course of justice, none of us should see salvation,”
(4.1.192-195). She gives Shylock the option to engage in Christian mercy equating it to a quality of the
Christian God. Upon realizing Shylock will not relent with his bond, “I have an oath in heaven. Shall I lay
perjury upon my soul?” (4:1:225) Portia cleverly presents the folly of his plan through profound
understanding and knowledge of the law. “Have by some surgeon, Shylock, to stop his wounds lest he do
bleed to death. This bond doth give thee here no jot of blood; The words expressly are “a pound of flesh.”
But in the cutting it if thou dost shed one drop of Christian blood, thy lands and goods are confiscate unto
the state of Venice. For, as thou urgest justice, be assured thou shalt have justice, more than thou desir’st.”
(4:1:322) Though she could have been imprisoned or worse, if caught, Portia risks everything and
illuminates the cleverness, intelligence, and intuition of women by devising the plan to free Antonio and
anticipating the questions, reactions, and proceedings of court despite an utter lack of experience or even
exposure to the court system or judicial affairs of Venice. Through Portia, Shakespeare’s reveals his
empathy, not only to the plight of women, but also his respect for their intuition and scarcely-recognized
courage and wit.
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