Sfakianos: Shakespeare's Portrayal of women through Dialogue
In The Merchant of Venice, Shakespeare portrays women through the short remarks of Portia and Nerissa. The dialogue that occurs between Nerissa, Portia, and Portia's suitors shows Shakespeare's assumption that women rush when men are around by simplifying their thoughts. When the first suitor, Morocco, arrives, Portia tells him that "one of [the caskets] contains my picture, Prince. / If you choose that, then I am yours withal" (2.7.11-12). When Portia speaks to Morocco, she is clearly rushed. She only gives Morocco a brief, 2 line description of what he is to do. Portia also uses shortened terms such as "that" and "withal". Both of these terms save her breath in her explanation. In earlier acts, Portia speaks to Nerissa in a more relaxed mood, using many lines per speech. While men are around, Portia rushes her speech. Portia continues her rushed sentences when Arragon arrives the choose a casket: "There, take it, Prince; and if my form lie there, / Then I am yours" (2.7.61-62). Portia continues to speak in shortened explanations when approached by her second suitor. Her choice of only single-syllabled words allows for the sentence to be said very quickly. Once again, Portia references the casket differently, this time by calling the casket "it". Her words drastically shorten "casket" into "it", which only has 2 letters, allowing for expedited diction. Nerissa also takes part in the rapid talk when she says, "Quick, quick, I pray thee; draw the curtain straight. / The Prince of Arragon hath ta'en his oath, / And comes to his election presently" (2.9.1-3). Nerissa uses a few words that suggest that the Prince is rushing towards them. She says "Quick, quick" and "comes...presently" to rush Portia to close he curtains. In addition, Nerissa says "ta'en" to save herself a letter that would slow down the pronunciation of the word. In earlier scenes, when Nerissa addresses Portia, she uses any necessary words to convey her ideas (ref. 1.2). Despite the relaxed matter in which a suitor is chosen for Portia, the ladies rush through their dialogues when the time comes for a suitor to choose a casket. Shakespeare uses this pattern of shortening women's lines in acts 7 and 9 of scene 2 to say that women of the time rush try to simplify and speed up their discussions when men are around.
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ReplyDeleteGreat analysis of Portia and Nerissa's shortened sentences/use of one syllable words to express their hurried behavior around men. I especially like how, during your analysis, you bring out specific textual references and use them to further your point. Really good observation of their seemingly rushed actions, but what is Shakespeare saying about women based on their behavior around men?
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, Shakespeare portrays women in a negative light, as shown through their different behavior around men. Portia and Nerissa’s curtailed speech is a result of their nervousness when faced with the suitors, expressing how women are not suited to make important choices. When addressing Morocco about marriage, Portia says, “Besides, the lottery of my destiny / Bars me the right of voluntary choosing” (2.1.15-16). Her father desired that Portia allows the caskets to determine her destiny, but Portia does not necessarily need to abide by those rules set out for her. She chooses to, though, because either she cannot choose a suitable suitor herself or she does not trust herself to make the right decision. Her choice shows how women are not equal to men, and cannot be trusted with the same responsibilities.