Have you heard the story of a Venetian merchant named Antonio who has to pay a large sum of money to Shylock, a Jewish moneylender? Antonio and Shylock are from Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. It is Portia’s intelligence that saves Antonio from the clutches of Shylock. Needless to say. Portia is the protagonist of the play.
Portia is the heiress of Belmont, known for her beauty, intelligence and quick wit. She is in love with Antonio’s friend, Bassano. Antonio borrows money from Shylock to help Bassanio woo Portia. Shylock lends the huge sum on one condition- that he could take a pound of Antonio’s flesh if he fails to repay the sum!
Hearing that Antonio’s ships have been lost, Shylock goes to court in an attempt to extract his dues. But Portia disguises herself as a young lawyer and argues that Shylock is entitled to take the flesh but not to spill a drop of blood. Her wit saves Antonio.
The play ends on a happy note with Antonio’s ships reappearing.
Picture Credit : Google