Drama: M of V / 22.4.2018

[greenilex]

Thank you, Jean, for posting Freud’s words.

Of course, he sees it from the man’s perspective, as ever. My belief is that WS actually took the woman’s point of view.

As far as was possible in his context...

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Here we suspend disbelief. We're led to think that Portia's father devised a test which will only be passed by a man who is worthy of her. I think that is speciifically said, isn't it? You could think that this was to safeguard her rather than put her up as a lottery prize.

Better than sending her into a coma and surrounding her with a circle of fire that only a real hero would be able to cross, I suppose.

[french frank]

Better than sending her into a coma and surrounding her with a circle of fire that only a real hero would be able to cross, I suppose.

But looking at the text (Act 1, sc 2), Portia laments the fact that she may not 'choose' her husband but must choose or refuse according to the terms of her father's will, which is 'hard'. But Nerissa replies:

Your father was ever virtuous; and holy men, at their death, have good inspirations; therefore, the lottery that he hath devised in these three chests, of gold, silver, and lead, - whereof who chooses his meaning chooses you, - will no doubt never be chosen by any rightly but one who you shall rightly love.

In this, we have to accept what is stated explicitly (rubbish or not).

As it is, there is a clear 'feminist' theme. Rather like Susannah in TMoF, the woman is in control of the situation and outwits the (male) forces of 'evil'.

[DracoM]

Better than sending her into a coma and surrounding her with a circle of fire that only a real hero would be able to cross, I suppose.

Ah, but think of the music as the flames rise higher!!

[Bryn]

Ah, but think of the music as the flames rise higher!!

This is not a case if setting her sister's hair on fire.