As one of Shakespeare’s most intelligent and captivating heroines, Portia is a wealthy girl who lives on her family’s estate in Belmont. Upon his death, her father bequeaths a unique wedding challenge to any potential suitor – to win the hand of his daughter, a suitor must choose the correct casket of three available to prove his worth. Out of all her suitors, she has already fallen in love with Bassanio and cannot hide her hope that he chooses the right casket. His decision weights heavily on their future – if he chooses the wrong casket, they will never be together and Antonio will be negligent on his debt; if he chooses the right casket, they will treasure in their love for each other and Antonio will be spared. Portia is above all a gracious and resourceful woman whose wit and playfulness drives her to great heights of success and love.

Read the character description in the passage above and discuss what conclusions you draw about Portia from “The Merchant of Venice.”

"why will you take by force what you may obtain by love? why will you destroy us who supply you with food? what can you get by war? . . we are unarmed, and willing to give you what you ask, if you come in a friendly manner. . i am not so simple as not to know it is better to eat good meat, sleep comfortably, live quietly with my women and children, laugh and be merry with the english, and being their friend, trade for their copper and hatchets, than to run away from them. . take away your guns and swords, the cause of all our jealousy,or you may die in the same manner." - powhatan, father of pocahontas what does this quote from powhatan, father of pocahontas, reveal about his attitude towards the settlers of jamestown? a)he thinks they should try and live in peace because he desires goods to trade.b)he thinks they should leave jamestown or be prepared to be attacked by the native americans.eliminatec)he thinks that the settlers are going to attack first because they fear the native americans are armed.d)he thinks that the settlers will never be able to live in peace with the native americans because they are jealous.

The consequence of jim smiley’s human foible adds to the story’s humor. what foible does smiley demonstrate?

Who was the last member of the stuart line whose death left britain without a clear successor? a. george i b. queen anne c. charles ii d. queen elizabeth