What disguises do Portia and Nerissa take?
Daniel Rodriguez
Published Mar 12, 2026
What disguises do Portia and Nerissa take?
Portia and Nerissa go to Venice disguised as a lawyer and clerk. In the courtroom, the Duke asks Shylock to show some compassion and Bassanio offers 6000 ducats to repay Antonio’s loan.
What did Portia and Nerissa really do?
Portia and Nerissa relent, giving each of their husbands a ring and suggesting that they exercise more care in keeping these rings. Bassanio and Gratiano recognize these as the same rings they gave to the lawyer and his clerk, and Portia and Nerissa claim that they lay with the gentlemen in order to get back the rings.
What does this scene reveal about Portia’s character?
Portia is characterized in act 1, scene 2, of Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice as a conflicted, intelligent woman, who is obedient, loyal, and perceptive. Portia is a wealthy hopeless romantic who insists on following her deceased father’s will but is worried that the wrong suitor will choose the correct casket.
What example does Portia give to prove that it is easier to teach than following the same advice?
Portia : If to do were as easy as to know what were good to do, chapels had been churches and poor men’s cottages princes’ palaces. It is a good divine that follows his own instructions : I can easier teach twenty what were good to be done, than be one of the twenty to follow mine own teaching.
What does Nerissa later tell?
(v) What does she tell Nerissa later? Answer: She tells Nerissa later that they are leaving for Venice in male dresses. She will be a lawyer and Nerissa her clerk.
What does Portia reveal to Nerissa about her plan?
Answer: Portia discloses her plan to leave her house along with Nerissa. She has taken a vow to pass her time in prayer and meditation until the return of her husband. Nerissa will be with her, waiting in the same manner for her husband.
Why does Nerissa later in the scene tell Portia to put her fears to rest what was Portia’s reaction to it?
Nerissa says to cheer up Portia that her father was always a good man, and such men have good guidance inspirations from Heaven at the time of their death when making their wills. Therefore Nerissa assures Portia that none but the person who really loves her and not her money will choose the right casket.
What is the relationship between Portia and Nerissa?
Portia is a wealthy heiress whose father has died and left her with no other family. Nerissa is Portia’s servant, and of a lower social class, but she seems to act more as a sister and friend. Nerissa is Portia’s listening ear and empathetic voice.
Who is Nerissa What is her relationship with Portia Where are Portia and Nerissa What is the special significance of that place?
What is the special significance of that place? Answer: Nerissa is a waiting woman to Portia. Her relationship with Portia is not that of a mistress and a servant but that of two friends who are free and frank in their speeches.
What is Nerissa to Portia?
Nerissa is Portia’s lady-in-waiting, verbal sparring partner, and friend. She joins Portia in dressing up as men to save Antonio’s life, playing the part of a law clerk.
How does Nerissa appreciate Portia?
Answer: Nerissa tells Portia to set aside her fears concerning the suitors. She says that they have informed her of their decision to go back home and not to press their courtship further unless Portia’s father’s decree concerning the caskets can be set aside and they may woo her in a way.
How has Nerissa corroborated her?
Nerissa corroborated her view and commented in support of Portia’s statement that these suitors can’t choose correctly with their superficial knowledge and and it won’t be false to comment the ancient or old saying for them that destiny chooses when you will die and whom you will marry.