Merchant of Venice Act 3 scene 4 Summary

A presentation on “The Merchant of Venice,” Act 3 Scene 4, including summary, literary devices, and themes.

1. ACT 3 - SCENE IV
THE MERCHANT OF VENICE

2. Setting : Belmont- Portia’s house
Characters present:
Portia
Nerissa
Lorenzo
Jessica
Baithazar(Portia’s servant)

3. SUMMERY
The scene begins with Lorenzo praising Portia for her noble and
selfless character. He tells her that she is a blessing to Bassanio for
allowing him to go to Venice and help his friend Antonio. Portia
humbly accepts the compliment and tells Lorenzo and Jessica that she
and Nerissa will spend their time at a nearby monastery in quiet
prayer and contemplation until their husbands return. However, after
Lorenzo and Jessica leave, Portia then sends her servant Balthazar to
deliver a letter to her cousin Doctor Bellario. She tells him to return
quickly with the paper and clothing he provides. After Balthazar
leaves, Portia revels her plan to Nerissa. The two women will disguise
themselves as men and follow their husbands to Venice.

4. She adds, although their husband sees them ,they won’t be
able to recognize them. When Nerissa asks why, Portia promises
to tell her the whole ideas of her purpose on the coach ride to
Venice. Having very short time, they rush immediately.

5. KEY POINTS
Portia pretends she is going to a monastery but is actually going to
Venice.
Portia plans to disguise herself as a male lawyer and help Antonio in
court.
This scene shows Portia’s intelligence, courage, and loyalty to her
husband’s friend.

6. LITERARY DEVICES
Dramatic Irony
Speaker: Portia
Line:
"They shall, Nerissa; but in such a habit,
That they shall think we are accomplished
With that we lack."
Explanation:
Portia tells Nerissa that they will disguise themselves as men. The audience knows
her plan, but the characters in Venice (like Bassanio and Antonio) do not.

7. Situational Irony
Speaker: Portia
Line:
"I'll hold thee any wager,
When we are both accouter'd like young men,
I'll prove the prettier fellow of the two."
Explanation: It is because in their society women are expected to be quiet stay home. But
they are doing something bold and unexpected by dressing like a man and heading out
alone.

8. Foreshadowing
Come on, Nerissa; I have work in hand
That you yet know not of: we'll see our husbands
Before they think of us.”
Explanation :
Portia hints that she and Nerissa will secretly go to see their husbands but doesn’t reveal
how or why.
This builds suspense, making the audience curious.

9. THEMES
Disguise and gender roles : Portia challenges traditional gender roles
by taking action in a male-dominated legal setting.
Loyalty and love : Portia shows deep loyalty to Bassanio and, indirectly,
to Antonio, by risking her safety to help them.
Intelligence and Agency : This scene highlights Portia’s intelligence,
resourcefulness, and independence- she takes control of the situation
in a time of crisis.

10. THANK YOU