I would like to write a critical essay on the role of Portia in Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice, hailing her as one of Shakespeare's greatest contributions to the society of the sane; however, I find this impossible after studying the text. At first I trusted her every word and was amazed by her intelligence, but I later discovered that she was just another Shakespearean psychopath. Basically, I understood that Portia was nothing more than an obedient daughter who obeyed the whims of her dead, overprotective father. She speaks in terms of respect for ritual and the reader believes her to be sincere. Later, as her character is revealed, the reader sees a wife in love with the husband who was wise enough to earn her love (and therefore her fortune!). Attention, gentle reader! Don't fall under the spell of Portia, the control freak! The following scenarios must be proof that this woman cannot be trusted! First let's evaluate the scene where Portia and Bassanio are in front of the coffins where Bassanio has to make his choice. The dialogue that directly precedes the discovery of the coffin is a basic love speech, but wait! Listen carefully to what Portia says: "If you love me, you will find me" (III ii 41). Portia tricks Bassanio into believing that the choice he will make in the coffins is his. It leads the reader to believe that Bassanio's love for her is the only force that leads to the discovery of the correct chest. However, earlier, when Portia talks about the preparations for choosing the coffin, she talks about the music that is to be played while Bassanio makes his choice. Ok, this seems innocent enough; but examine the song: the first two lines of the song rhyme with lead! It doesn't take long for the subliminal message to be absorbed into Bassanio's brain, and the lead coffin is chosen. This manipulative device tells me that Portia needs to have things go her way. He is afraid that Bassanio will make the wrong choice, and so he helps him. Point n.2. Portia creates a way to control the future of her and Bassanio's relationship. Portia gives Bassanio a ring with the words: "I give you this ring, which when you part, you will lose or give away, / Let it portend the ruin of your love".