Portia

in Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice, an heiress in love with Bassanio. In that part of the plot which presents the old story of the three caskets, Portia's hand in marriage is to be the reward of him who chooses the right casket. Bassanio makes the right choice. Portia is especially celebrated for her defense of Antonio, the friend of Bassanio. Shylock demands the "pound of flesh" promised by Antonio in case he fails to pay the money he has borrowed. Portia, disguised as "a learned doctor of the law," so judges the case that Antonio is freed. See Merchant Of Venice