the merchant of Venice

The Merchant of Venice: Portia

Five Adjectives to Describe Portia

1. Intelligent

   • Highly clever, demonstrated by her witty legal strategy in the courtroom.

2. Resourceful

   • Displays great ingenuity, especially when disguising herself as a lawyer to save Antonio.

3. Compassionate

   • Kind and empathetic, exemplified by her mercy plea to Shylock.

4. Confident

   • Self-assured and assertive in her actions and decisions.

5. Witty

   • Clever use of words, quick thinking, and sharp sense of humor.

Key Examples of Portia's Characteristics

• Wit in Courtroom

  • Outsmarts Shylock by using the terms of his bond to save Antonio.b

  • Quote: "This bond doth give thee here no jot of blood; The words expressly are a pound of flesh."

  • you must prepare your bosom for his knife

• Compassion

  • Urges Shylock to show mercy: "The quality of mercy is not strained; It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven..."

  • Ensures justice is served while displaying kindness by sparing Shylock’s life.

Poster Design for The Merchant of Venice

• Title: The Merchant of Venice (in bold, elegant font)

• Tagline: "Justice. Mercy. Love. The cost of choice in Venice."

Quotes

• "The quality of mercy is not strained."

• "If you prick us, do we not bleed?"

Themes and Imagery

• Justice vs. Mercy:

  • Visuals: scales, contrasting imagery (sharp knife vs. open hand).

• Gold Casket: symbolizes wealth and appearance vs. reality.

• Shylock’s Knife: references central conflict.

Color Scheme

• Gold and deep blue for wealth and grandeur; red for conflict; white for mercy.

Character Imagery

• Portia in lawyer’s disguise, symbolizing wit and compassion.

• Shylock, depicting his conflict and suffering.

• Antonio and Bassanio, representing loyalty and friendship.