Portia is the heroine of the play-

Correct option is D

Explanation:

Portia is the heroine of William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, a comedic play written around 1596-1599. In this play, Portia is the intelligent and resourceful wife of Bassanio, a nobleman who must choose between three caskets to win her hand in marriage, as per her late father's will. However, her most notable role comes in the trial scene where she disguises herself as a male lawyer in order to save Antonio, Bassanio’s best friend, from Shylock's demand of a pound of flesh. Portia's ability to think quickly, her wisdom, and her mastery in the art of persuasion lead to her successfully outwitting Shylock. The character of Portia is often seen as one of Shakespeare's strongest and most resourceful female protagonists, as she combines both beauty and intellect.

Information Booster:

William Shakespeare (1564–1616), widely regarded as one of the greatest writers in the English language, is known for his vast contributions to drama and poetry.

The Merchant of Venice is one of his most famous comedies. The play is primarily about the themes of mercy, justice, revenge, and the complex dynamics between love and financial obligations.

• In the play, Portia stands out as the quintessential intelligent heroine, breaking the gender norms of her time.
• Her cleverness and legal acumen are instrumental in saving Antonio’s life and in securing the bond between Shylock and Antonio.
  
• The Merchant of Venice is set in Venice and centers around a complex legal case involving Antonio, a merchant, and Shylock, a Jewish moneylender.
• Antonio borrows money from Shylock to help his friend Bassanio, who seeks to marry Portia. Shylock, who is wronged by Antonio in the past, demands a pound of flesh as collateral for the loan.
• When the contract is tested in court, Portia, in disguise as a lawyer, argues brilliantly to save Antonio. Eventually, Shylock’s bond is overturned, and Portia’s wisdom and ingenuity save the day.
  
• The Merchant of Venice is a comedy, but it contains elements of drama, especially in its themes of justice and mercy.
• While there is comedic dialogue and the traditional “happy ending” for Portia and Bassanio, there is also tension and moral questioning surrounding Shylock's character and his treatment.
  
  
  

​Additional Knowledge:

(a) Hamlet- Hamlet is one of Shakespeare's most famous tragedies, written around 1600. The character of Ophelia is the tragic heroine of the play. Ophelia is the daughter of Polonius and the love interest of Hamlet. Her life ends tragically as she succumbs to madness and death, largely due to the events surrounding Hamlet's feigned madness and the actions of her father and brother.

(b) The Merry Wives of Windsor- This play, written around 1597-1598, is a comedy by Shakespeare featuring the character of Falstaff, who attempts to court two married women, Mistress Ford and Mistress Page. These women, however, outwit him, leading to a series of comic and farcical events. The central figures are the witty, clever wives who use their intelligence to get the better of Falstaff.

(c) The Tempest- The Tempest (1611) is a romance and one of Shakespeare’s final plays. The character Miranda is the central female protagonist. Miranda, the daughter of Prospero, has been isolated on an island for most of her life. She falls in love with Ferdinand, the son of the King of Naples. The themes of the play revolve around magic, betrayal, forgiveness, and reconciliation.