How important was Nerissa to Portia?

Nerissa could have declared Portia a fraud, but she is a loyal friend for life. Therefore, Nerissa is more than a servant for Portia; she is her sister and partner in crime, her loyal assistant and supporter. Anything Portia does, Nerissa also does because of her sisterly love and friendly loyalty.

What type of character is Nerissa?

According to a critic, Nerissa is a clever, confidential waiting-woman who has caught something of her mistress’s elegance and romance, and she mimics her mistress with emphasis and discretion. Nerissa and Gratiano, says this critic, are as well matched as the incomparable Portia and her splendid lover.

How would you describe Nerissa?

Nerissa is Portia’s lady-in-waiting and a close confidant. She is a smart lady with a sharp tongue and a true sense of humor. Many of her remarks are indeed intended to assist Portia in giving appropriate answers. Portia confides her happiness as well as sorrows to her and trusts her implicitly.

Where are Portia and Nerissa going and what is important about this?

Portia says that she feels that if Antonio is worthy of Bassanio’s friendship, he is well worth rescuing from “hellish cruelty” at any cost. Leaving the management of her affairs to Lorenzo, she announces that she and Nerissa will go to “a monastery two miles off” until their husbands return.

How does Nerissa appreciate Portia?

Answer: Nerissa tells Portia to set aside her fears concerning the suitors. She says that they have informed her of their decision to go back home and not to press their courtship further unless Portia’s father’s decree concerning the caskets can be set aside and they may woo her in a way.

How does Nerissa prove to be a good companion?

How does she prove to be a good companion? Answer: Nerissa is a comforting ally of Portia. She knows that the casket test haunts Portia, for she fears that some non-deserving suitors might become lucky and win her. Nerissa proves to be a good companion who tried to make Portia see the brighter side of things.

What does Nerissa have in mind?

Nerissa is Portia’s lady-in-waiting and close confidant. She is a smart lady with an intelligent mind and true sense of humour. To cheer up Portia, Nerissa says to her that her father was always a good man, and such men have good guidance inspirations from Heaven at the time of their death when making their wills.

What is Nerissa to Portia?

Nerissa is Portia’s lady-in-waiting, verbal sparring partner, and friend. She joins Portia in dressing up as men to save Antonio’s life, playing the part of a law clerk.

What does Portia reveal to Nerissa about her plan?

Answer: Portia discloses her plan to leave her house along with Nerissa. She has taken a vow to pass her time in prayer and meditation until the return of her husband. Nerissa will be with her, waiting in the same manner for her husband.

What does Nerissa later tell?

(v) What does she tell Nerissa later? Answer: She tells Nerissa later that they are leaving for Venice in male dresses. She will be a lawyer and Nerissa her clerk.

How does Nerissa try to explain the nature of true happiness?

As Nerissa thinks, happiness lies in between of having too much and having nothing. She feels that the people who are neither too rich nor too poor are the happiest ones. “It is no mean happiness, therefore, to be seated in the mean. Superfluity comes sooner by white hairs, but competency lives longer.”

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