Marietta daily leader. (Marietta, Ohio) 1895-1906, 1901-02-06
PORTlA
(By Mrs. H. w. Craig.)

(By Mrs. H. w. CraigD
William Shakespeare, the greatest
name in English poetry, The Merchant
of Venice, one of the most popular
dramas, the we'll deserved praise of
which is in the mouth of nearly every
critic. Portia, the amiable, intelligent
accomplished woman, one of my favor
ite heroines.
You all recall the story. Antonio,
the merchant, sad and wearied, cheered
by the wit of his friends, is approached
by Bassanio, the young generous
spendthrift, who is desirous of winning
the hand of Portia, a wealthy heiress,
from whose eyes he has received ''fair
speechle:s messages Wanting means
to hold "a rival place among her suit
ors" Antonio's wealth and credit are
pledged to him.
The merchants funds however are
invested at sea and he seeks credit
from Shylock, the Jew. national
type, an object of bitter insult, sur
rounded by enemies and one in whom
the ardent love of gain is coupled with
an intense desire for revenge.
The money IS loaned upon one con-
dition, namely that Antonio sign
bond authorizing Shylock to cut
pound of flesh from whatever part of
his body he may choose in case of for
feiture.
Antonio agrees and Bassanio presses
his suit with success, but soon learns
that the merchants ventures at sea
have failed and the Jew claims his for
feiture.
Leaving his bride. Bassanio hastens
away resolved to save his friends life,
even though it be at the expense of
his own.
Portia receives instruction and aid
from DR.. Bellario, her cousin, disguise;
herself as a doctor of law, goes to the
trial, and endeavors by her wisdom and
persuasion to direct the Jew from his
purpose but in vain. Her eloquent ap-
neal for Justice and then for mercy
bring no reply from the usurer, save:
"There is no power in the tongue OF
man to alter me.
"I stay here on my bond" Garry
ing his revenge even to the point OF
making the fatal incision, we hear ouG
heroine say:
"This bond doth give thee here, no
lot of blood.-The words expressly are
"a pound of flesh.-Then take thy
bond-take thou thy pound of flesh
But in the cutting it, if thou dost
shed one drop of Christian blood-thy
lands and goods are by the laws OF
Venice confiscate-unto the state OF
Venice"
Then does this central character
have the letter of the law turned
against him and having sought the life
of a citizen, his own life Is subjected
to the mercy of the Duke and he is re
QulrGQ 10 give UOuu oCSul lho hi' ." StNASA
to his daughter Jessica.
One critic has said that Shakes
peare's Portia is ''fine specimen o
beautiful nature enhanced by beauti
full art"
Here we find the noblest and mos
lovable qualities sought for in wom
an. She is practical sensible, virtu
Gus, eloquent. "As intelligent as thu
strongest, yet feminine as the weakes
of her sex" She talks like poet, {
philosopher, yet just like woman"
The sudden plan she forms for tn,
release of her husbands friend, he'
disguise, her deDortment as a yount
and learned doctor OF the law. woult
appear improbable in many womeI
but in Portia seems only the natura
result of her character.
In that age, we must remember, del
icate points of law such as the tilv
in Antonio's bond. were not determ
ined by ordinary judges of the provln