#2

     Portia is a modern woman for her time.  The Merchant of Venice takes place in a time where women were not valued.  A female was like a piece of property transferred from her father's household to the household of her husband.  Often times the female was part of a business deal that would ameliorate the holdings of the two male parties involved.  A woman's value was found only within the domestic sphere, outside of it she was thought of as nothing.  This mindset is not found in Portia.  Portia is a woman who takes action outside of the household.  When she finds out that her husband's best friend, Antonio, is indebted to a merciless moneylender she immediately responds.  Portia uses wit and disguises herself as a doctor in order to save Antonio.  She completely debunks the stereotype of the time period, which stated that women were ignorant of all subjects outside that which pertains to nurturing.   She is able to debunk Shylock's bond and gives Antonio his life.  She also  tests her husband's loyalty and finds that he is willing to give up the token of their love.  In addition, Portia is bold.  Women of her day were taught to be humble and lowly, subservient to the authority and deeds of their husbands.  Portia is not willing to lie down under her husband's betrayal.    Bassanio answers her questioning with excuses as to why he gave up the ring.  Portia answers his excuses saying, "Let not that doctor e'er come near my house/ Since he hath got the jewel that I loved/ And that which you did swear to keep for me,/ I will become as liberal as you:/ I'll not deny him anything I have,/ No, not my body, nor my husband's bed" (V.i.239-244).  Here Portia makes bold declarations.  She lets her husband know that she will punish his betrayal by giving the benefits that would have been his to the one who bears her ring.  This is very uncharacteristic of women during the Elizabethan era.  Portia essentially stands up for herself and says that her love is not something to be taken for granted and traded freely without consequence.  Portia's boldness makes her a modern woman.