# I: Portia explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Oscar Wilde.

## What happens

The speaker marvels at Portia's beauty and wisdom, recalling her role in The Merchant of Venice where she disguised as a lawyer to save Antonio from Shylock's bond, and offers his heart to her.

## Themes in this chapter

### Beauty and Aesthetics

Portia's beauty is compared to golden sun and Veronese paintings.

### Love and Loss

The speaker offers his heart to Portia, expressing deep admiration and devotion.

## Character check-ins

### Bassanio

Mentioned as the bold suitor who risked all on the lead casket.

### Ellen Terry

The poem is dedicated to Ellen Terry, who played Portia.

## Key lines

> I marvel not Bassanio was so bold To peril all he had upon the lead

I am not surprised Bassanio risked everything on the lead casket.

_Reference to Bassanio's choice in The Merchant of Venice._

> For in that gorgeous dress of beaten gold Which is more golden than the golden sun No woman Veronesé looked upon Was half so fair as thou whom I behold.

In that splendid golden dress, more radiant than the sun, no woman painted by Veronese was as beautiful as you I see.

_Portia's beauty is compared to art and nature._

> Yet fairer when with wisdom as your shield The sober-suited lawyer’s gown you donned, And would not let the laws of Venice yield Antonio’s heart to that accursèd Jew

But you are even more beautiful when you wisely put on the plain lawyer's gown and prevented Venetian law from giving Antonio's heart to that cursed Jew.

_Portia's wisdom and legal intervention save Antonio._

> O Portia! take my heart: it is thy due: I think I will not quarrel with the Bond.

O Portia! Accept my heart; you deserve it. I think I will not argue with the bond.

_The speaker offers his heart, accepting Portia's worth._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_18_se/chapters/i-portia
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_18_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_18_se/chapters