Tragedy of Julius Caesar: Character Portia

A detailed Summary of Tragedy of Julius Caesar: Character Portia

In William Shakespeare's Tragedy of Julius Caesar many characters exhibit the qualities of a tragic hero. Although a number of the men are obvious choices, Portia, the wife of Brutus, fits the description in many ways. Her intelligence, perception, and love for her husband become her tragic flaws as they lead her to fear for her husband to the extreme of wounding herself and committing suicide. Despite Portia's limited appearances in the play, Shakespeare presents her as a woman who knows her mind and loves her husband.

Portia first appears during Act II, scene I of the play. Brutus has just met with several of the conspirators at his home; it is the night before the assassination. Brutus has spent the past month struggling with his decision to join the conspirators or not. During this time, Portia has been very aware of her husband's difficulties. "Y'have ungently, Brutus, / Stole from my bed; and yesternight at supper / You suddenly arose and walked about, musing and sighing, with your arms across" (II, I, 237-240). Although Brutus has shared nothing with his wife, she is keenly aware of the troubles that have been bothering him.

Portia's fears for her husband's health, both mental and physical, show her loyalty

Combined Portia's ability to understand what is happening and her love for her husband make her a tragic hero. Due to circumstances caused by other characters, she is unable to function anymore in the play in her role as wife to Brutus. She is unable to control the situation and the only thing she can control is her own tragic death. Portia fits the role of tragic hero well due to her flaws, her inability to control or change the situation, and her tragic ending.

Portia reminds the audience of her noble position in society based on her connections as she argues with her husband to tell her what has been going on in his life. "I grant I am a woman; but withal / A woman that Lord Brutus took to wife. / I grant I am a woman; but withal / A woman well reputed, Cato's daughter. / Think you I am no stronger than my sex, / Being so fathered and so husbanded?" (II, I, 292-297). She forces her husband to remember her significance here by first reminding him that he trusted and loved her enough to make her his wife.

In Act IV, the audience learns that she has committed suicide because she is aware that "Octavius and Mark Antony / Have made themselves so strong" (IV, III, 151-152). Her intelligence and fear for what may happen to her husband in the battle at the end of the play leads her to kill herself. She perceives what will happen and chooses to end her life before her husband dies. It is her loyalt

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Approximate Word count = 954
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Arts