<P> Portia is the heroine of William Shakespeare 's The Merchant of Venice . A rich , beautiful , and intelligent heiress , she is bound by the lottery set forth in her father 's will , which gives potential suitors the chance to choose between three caskets composed of gold , silver and lead . If they choose the right casket -- the casket containing Portia 's portrait and a scroll -- they win Portia 's hand in marriage . If they choose the wrong casket , they must leave and never seek another woman in marriage . Portia is glad when two suitors , one driven by greed and another by vanity , fail to choose correctly . She favours Bassanio , a young Venetian noble , but is not allowed to give him any clues to assist in his choice . Later in the play , she disguises herself as a man , then assumes the role of a lawyer 's apprentice ( named Balthazar ) whereby she saves the life of Bassanio 's friend , Antonio , in court . </P>
<P> Portia is the heroine of William Shakespeare 's The Merchant of Venice . A rich , beautiful , and intelligent heiress , she is bound by the lottery set forth in her father 's will , which gives potential suitors the chance to choose between three caskets composed of gold , silver and lead . If they choose the right casket -- the casket containing Portia 's portrait and a scroll -- they win Portia 's hand in marriage . If they choose the wrong casket , they must leave and never seek another woman in marriage . Portia is glad when two suitors , one driven by greed and another by vanity , fail to choose correctly . She favours Bassanio , a young Venetian noble , but is not allowed to give him any clues to assist in his choice . Later in the play , she disguises herself as a man , then assumes the role of a lawyer 's apprentice ( named Balthazar ) whereby she saves the life of Bassanio 's friend , Antonio , in court . </P>
where is portia from in merchant of venice
where is portia from in merchant of venice
Venice
Venice