Favorite

Portia is a humanist whom the writer of the play praises very much. In the first episode of the drama, "Three Boxes", she throws away the fair contract in order to get her own happiness, and secretly hints the man she likes, Bassanio. Bassanio opens the box containing her picture and appears to be lucky enough to become Portia's fiance. Portia's pursuit of happiness accords with the ideal of humanism. As the orphan of a rich and noble family, she knew that she must obey her father's commandment to choose her husband in three boxes. Whoever opened the box containing her picture would have her and marry her. It doesn't matter what status or birth or wealth. Portia had no choice, but when she saw bassanio, the man of her heart, on the balcony, love was born in her heart. Humanism, based on rationality, tends to care about human nature and pays attention to the maintenance of human freedom and dignity. Portia was a brave man who, in pursuit of his own freedom of happiness, used his wisdom to achieve his own happiness without violating his father's commandment.