Question

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:

PORTIA - Dwell I but in the suburbs Of your good pleasure? If it be no more, Portia is Brutus’ harlot, not his wife

1. Before this extract, Portia appealed to Brutus in such a way that she played on his emotions. Which part of her reasoning has appealed most to you? Give reasons for your answer. (Application & Evaluation)
2. How does Portia assess Brutus’ ill health? Is she correct in her assessment? Give reasons for your answer. (Understanding & Evaluation)
3. How does Portia show her love and submissiveness to Brutus? What fears does she voice to Brutus? (Understanding & Analysis)
4. How does Portia prove to Brutus that she is stronger than any other woman? (Analysis)
5. Who intrudes the conversation of Portia and Brutus? What does Brutus promise Portia? (Recalling)

Answer 1

1. Portia’s declaration that she is Cato’s daughter and Brutus’ wife appeals most to me. It shows that she is noble, courageous and worthy of sharing her husband’s burdens instead of being treated as an outsider.
2. Portia understands that Brutus’ illness is not physical but mental. She is correct because his strange behaviour is caused by the burden of the conspiracy and the conflict in his mind.
3. Portia kneels before Brutus, lovingly begs him to trust her and offers to share his troubles. She fears that Brutus no longer loves or trusts her and that he is hiding a serious sorrow from her.
4. Portia proves her strength by showing Brutus the wound she has voluntarily made on her thigh. She says that since she could endure such physical pain, she can also endure his secrets without revealing them.
5. Ligarius interrupts the conversation. Brutus promises Portia that he will share the secrets of his heart with her and tell her about the conspiracy.