Journal March 1

After finishing the book, I think that the Green World vs. City World theory is supported even more. Portia still clearly is in charge of Belmont, as one can see from this line, "I had it of him. Pardon me, Bassanio, for by this ring the doctor lay with me." She basically says that she can still do whatever she wants. She also tricks Bassanio, her husband, into giving someone his ring, which he told her he would never part with. This shows that she is still higher than him in ranking. Portia also let's Antonio into her house. Bassanio doesn't just bring him into her house, he has to ask her if it is okay. This again shows that Portia is higher than Bassanio. Also, the main conflict in the play, Shylock vs. Antonio, is solved by women. If Portia didn't sneak into the court, Antonio would have been killed. This again shows that the women in this play are higher up than the men. The romantic situation with Portia and the caskets has also been solved. A main characteristic of the green world is that romantic problems are solved. Portia solves her romantic problem by marrying Bassanio. Nerissa and Gratanio also decided to get married, which is another romantic problem that has been solved. Another characteristic of a "Green World" is it is the opposite of the city world. Problems in Belmont(Portia and the caskets) are being solved right as problems in Venice are being made(Shylock and Antonio's loans). Once the problems in Venice were solved(end of court scene), problems in Belmont are being made(Portia and Bassanio getting mad over the ring). This further supports the theory that Belmont is the Green World.