Portia and Modern Women

Justin M. Vera

Ms. Katie Jones

Eng. 210

June 25, 2018

The secrets of Portia and Modern Women Revealed

“A woman is like a tea bag - you can’t tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water” (Roosevelt, 2014). Eleanor Roosevelt, the wife of former United States president Theodore Roosevelt, stated this. So, why is a woman like a tea bag? We don’t know the strength of a tea bag until we put the tea bag into hot water. A woman’s true strength comes to the surface when she gets into hot water. You will see women stand out under pressure and at that very moment you will see her determination and resolve carry the day. Never underestimate the strength of a woman. In today’s society those words hold up, but this is also true at a time before they even said these words! Portia and modern women are straightforward, most of the time, yet they are different in some ways, for example: Modern women are independent in the Merchant of Venice, Portia depends on her father’s “game” to choose a fiancé. There are striking similarities such as they have the beautiful features that come from being female. However, similarities are more significant than the differences in it that both women are strong, outspoken, and loving.

First, both the fictional character Portia, and modern women are strong. The word “strong” is not too clear for the purpose at hand, but the definition of the word states that if one is strong one is: “able to withstand great force or pressure.” Taking into consideration both women’s ability to perform under pressure, both physical and intellectual, one can say that they truly are strong. For example, had Portia not been able to perform in the court into believing she was a man, they would have shed Christian blood that day.

Second, both modern women and Portia of Belmont show their outspokenness. With Portia, she shows this quality when she speaks out for the injustice that is being done against Antonio and Bassanio, and ultimately she saves them both. Her quick thinking along with her outspokenness allows her to save a life and do justice. Modern women also do this. They speak up for their fellow oppressed that face injustice and facilitate justice.

Third, and most notably, both the heroine in Shakespeare’s ‘The Merchant of Venice’, Portia, and modern women love. Through Portia’s love, she did a drastic and potentially dangerous move in going to court she did this in a time they excluded women from, much less speak, in a court. Yet, her love made her try to accomplish great things. Modern women as well do such things. A woman in love with someone will defy all authority and help their beloved no matter the consequences.     

In conclusion, although our time periods are worlds apart, the comparison of Portia and Modern Women has similarities that include strength, outspokenness, and lovingness. Society should stop focusing on the differences, but admire what, unlike most other playwrights, Shakespeare can write universal lessons. That being: women have been, are, and always will be essentially the same.