Merchant of Venice - Portia was No Feminist :: Merchant Venice Essays

Merchant of Venice Portia was No Feminist   The question has been proposed whether Portia was her testify woman, and if after she married Bassanio would she still be the protector of her fortune.  I researched  for certify to the theory that Portia was not her own, her fortune was not her own, and she was bound financially to her husband after marriage.  There is nothing out of the ordinary about this particular arrangement, and I dont feel that the relationship should continue to be hailed as a progressive, womens rightist relationship.                The best evidence I could find were the words which were spoken out of Portias own mouth,               One half of me is yours, the other half yours--             Mine own, I would say but if mine, then yours,             And so all yours. III.ii.16-18.   There you have it.  Portia is Bassanios.  This may be idle lovers talk however, it does signify the beginning of a possessive relationship in which Bassanio is the possessor                Directly after Portia is won by Bassanios correct choice in caskets she states,               Happiest of all, is that her gentle spirit             Commits itself to yours to be directed,             As from her lord, her governor, her king.             Myself, and what is mine, to you and yours             Is without delay converted.  . . . I was the lord of             this fair mansion, master of my servants,     &n bsp       Queen oer myself and even now, but now             This house, these servants, and this same myself             Are yours. . . . III.ii.163-171   I struggle to see how the relationship between Portia and Bassanio is worthy of feminist hurrahs.  I believe Portia is a woman worthy of feminist scholarship, but not the relationship to her husband.