St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1883-05-05
POrtia.

"Portia," the heroine of Shakespeare's
Merchant of Venice" presents to us a
character worthy Of our study. She is
depicted to us in the fairest language,
ana hel figure stands out III the fullest
light in the fore ground OF the play.
Portia and Shylock are the two prln-
ciple characters in the strange lawsuit
which is the center of the drama. Por-
tia has her share of the delightful quail
tiles which Shakespeare bestows upon
many of his characters. But beside the
beauty, dignity and sweetness which
distinguishes her rank generally, she Is
made an object OF interest by having
qualities which are peculiar to herself.
These peculiarities are her superiority
in mental powers, her firmness IN ac-
ton, and her buoyancy OF spirit. Ihese
are innate. She possesses other good
characteristics which are presented
where there Is need OF them.
Portia is left heiress OF a prlncely
name and of immense wealth. Having
been reared in an atmosphere OF pleas
nre, her life is rendOlent OF carless
grace there is a commanding motion,
a hight bred airy elegance IN every ac-
tion that throws a spirit OF magnlncenct
in everything that she does or says.
Her wit, wisdom and true tenderness
are ditficnltt to surpass, and since she
has never known want, grief or dlsap-
pointment, she is without the. slightest
touch of sadness. Her affections seem
to be trusted to faith, joy and beautiful
bright hope. Her wit is such that it
produces no harm, but adds greatly to
each scene. Though of noble birth she
has no degree OF haughtiness or arlsto-
cratic pride. She is free in spirit and
pure in heart. We may compare her to
a beautiful flower, that first buds and
then is brought into perfect blossom by
the suns beams. Her wealth and ac-
complishments serve only as ornaments,
which are the proper decorations for
so pure in heart. We find a marked
difference between the characters OF
Shylock and Portia. In her we have
inherited possessions and h0nOred birth !;
in Shylock low descent and wealth ac-
cumulated by the most disllonorable
and difficult means; in her we have wit
and intelligence: in him accuteness and
shrewdness, which cause opposition and
persecution; she has faith, hope, gen
tleness OF spirit aud love; he has fear
and distrust and inhumanity.
periority are shown in the trial scene.
Although she possesses all necessary re-
finenfent she is not so refined that she
cannot stoop from her rank and take a
brief departure from her sex for the
sake of her husbands peace of mind.
AS she acted the part of a man, we cam
not expect to find her without more OF
self-confidence than would be becoming
in woman. There is nothing like con-
ceit III Portia. Her knowledge is
sufficient to enable her to discharge
the duties of judge, yet it never once
enters her head that she is too wise for
the station assigned her. She there
fore, would never conceal her wisdom,
or, on the other hand, make any dis
play of it but used it SO that those OF
her household might gain by it. When
she enters the court room in the ap-
parel of q Doctor she is perfectly
cool, calm and firm, and she renders
such decisions that the court resOunds
with the cry Of "A Daniel. Daniel,
come to judge" Our opinion is height
ened by her modesty. She appeals
most earnestly to the Jew to accept the
liberal offer of money, and pleads with
him to show mercy, but he requires JUS
tice and nothing more. What he asked
was given, and fair Portals object
being accomplished we still retain our
exaltod opinion of her, and all the in
ward harmonies of her character are
preserved. NJ. ).