Is the beauty but isolation of the island symbolic of Portia’s status in society?

The island is isolated and represents the isolated, repressed role of women in society

Portia needs saving from the island (see it as a metaphor) – by a male, Christian hero. Does she get a hero?

Establishing (long) shot

Long shot

IMPORTANT

It is important to note the mise-en-scene in this shot. Radford’s casting of Portia draws a clear comparison with Queen Elizabeth I. Is Radford drawing this comparison to emphasise (and sympathise with) what QE 1st would have lost were she to have married (demonstrated by what Portia loses)? She is shown reading – she is an ideal renaissance woman: intelligent, well-read and passively living on an island subjected to her dead father’s will.

‘I am locked in one of them’ Act 3 Scene 2Medium Close Up

The close up reveals her emotions – she is frustrated and concerned about her lack of freedom.

She wishes to guide Bassanio into making the right choice. Therefore, she is torn between satisfying her own desires and demonstrating the loyalty to her father.

Elizabeth 1st faced harsh criticism for not marrying – like Portia, she was trapped by a very male-dominated society. She knew that if she married her ability to rule and to hold power would be weakened. If she didn’t then she would continue to face criticism.

Portia is torn between her individual needs and to conforming to society’s expectations of her (her submission to the rule of her dead father). The casket test demonstrates the lack of power women held in society. Not trusted to handle her own affairs, the important task of choosing a husband is left in the hands of her dead father.

Long Shot The framing of this shot is quite possibly significant. The fact that the area has been reduced perhaps demonstrates that the walls are closing in on Portia. She is, and continues to, be trapped. To what extent is this ironic?

She and Lorenzo share the space (proxemics) they are in close

proximity – does this suggest a balance of power between them?

The mise-en-scene is important because it is set in the monastery. This emphasises her planned deception.

Portia speaks at this moment as an aside to Nerissa. An aside is something which only Nerissa and the audience would be able to hear. However, the fact that Radford has chosen to have Portia speak this aside (revealing part of the plan to Nerissa) in such close proximity to Lorenzo demonstrates the boldness of her plan. It also highlights her intelligence and the lack of intelligence of men (the male lack of intelligence is prevalent in the play and film). THIS IS A KEY SCENE BECAUSE IT IS A TURNING

POINT IN THE PLOT WHICH CREATES DRAMA!

That they shall think we are accomplished / With that we lack. (Portia 3.4)

The scene demonstrates Portia earlier statement that they way she is to gain power and go to Venice is by pretending that she is a male. It deals with a wider issue though, that women were seen as ‘lacking’.

As a male, she is able to exercise her intelligence demonstrated by the document. As a woman, she would have been unable to exercise her intelligence and she would have had little political influence.

As a male, furnished with

temporary masculinity, she can take on a role in society that enables her to have political and social influence. Is the disguise deliberately unconvincing?

GRADE BOOSTER

Why does Portia try to encourage Shylock to take the money?

When he refuses, why does she enable to court to punish him?

Many critics suggest that there are a number of similarities between Shylock and Portia – both marginalised characters. Do you agree?

Does Antonio show mercy to Shylock?

Medium Close Up

The colour filter draws a clear comparison between Portia and Shylock. Do you think Portia is comfortable with the way she has let society treat Shylock (a society that treats women just as harshly)?

Antonio persuades Bassanio to give away Portia’s wedding ring. Male friendship and business is more important than relationships with women. Why might Radford have presented the scenes with such visual echoes?

GRADE BOOSTER

Portia has used her intelligence in a way which has enabled the Christian men to strip him of his identity. His unhappiness is

suggested by the colour filter and his

posture.

Susan Oldrieve claims that…

‘She [Portia] was shocked at both the Duke's and Antonio's offers of "mercy," and pained by the effect of her judgment upon Shylock. Portia suddenly sees how the law "being seasoned with a gracious voice, /Obscures the show of evil," (Act 3, Scene 2) and is horrified to have been a part of it.’

Do you agree?

The same colour filter is used when Bassanio returns. Portia has entered an unhappy marriage.