A Judicial Exploration of Portia in The Merchant of Venice: A Critical Study

Abstract

The term “Judicial” stands for an idea relating to the administration of justice or a phenomenon appropriate to the law or judgment. In the present study, we have an interesting character Portia in William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice who disguises herself as the judiciary personality to explore a judiciary case in the court of Venice. She submitted her identity before the judge as a legal pleader appointed by the Duke of Venice to run the case between Antonio and Shylock. Shylock gets ready to cut one pound of flesh from the heart of Antonio according to the contract between them. Antonio is quite disappointed finding no other alternatives to rescue his life. The audience also gets disheartened that there is no way left for Antonio’s life and this trial will finally come to an end. In that crucial moment of utter helplessness, Portia arrives as a heavenly savior for Antonio to rescue him as a competent lawyer. So in this study, it shows Portia’s judicial portrait and as a successful female lawyer.