“Go in, Nerissa: Give order to my servants that they take No note at all of our being absent – Nor you Lorenzo, Jessica nor you” (V.i.118-121)
Portia’s demand of secrecy from Lorenzo and Jessica, and their compliance, display her authoritative character. Lorenzo, speaking for him and Jessica, exclaim “we are no telltales” (V.i.123). Although Portia has relinquished her house, servants, money and ownership of all other material things to Bassanio, she still retains impenetrable power over her peers. First, Portia’s allies, Lorenzo and Jessica, stay true to their oath of silence and do not reveal Portia’s whereabouts during the trial. Bassanio clearly does not have the same influence over his friends as Gratiano discloses that “Bassanio gave his ring away” in the face of Portia’s inquiring about Gratiano and Nerissa’s quarrel (V.i.179). The dominance Portia has in the last scene exemplifies that the dominance she was able to express dressed up as a man in Venice still holds true in her role as wife of Belmont.
Mary--A laudably balanced assessment of Portia's exercise of authority over those around her in Act 5. Take as given what you have to say about Portia's authority--then ask, what is Shakespeare doing to his audience in staging Portia as he does? How is he trying to call received truths into question...why...and what does he propose as an alternative?
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