Jessica and Portia- two female characters portrayed in Merchant of Venice Jessica is Shylock’s daughter but hates living with him. Since Shylock and his daughter are Jews, he carries a huge amount of hatred for all Christians and his hatred for them causes Jessica to have hate for her own father since her true love, Lorenzo, happens to be a Christian. Jessica and Lorenzo love each other dearly, however, are forbidden to be with one another because of their Jewish father. The couple are not allowed to elope with one another because they may get caught and must do it secretly. Jessica and Lorenzo love each other so much that Jessica chooses to run away with him to Belmont. Portia is a wealthy heiress from Belmont who is very beautiful and intelligent. She is not bothered by money or anything else besides marrying her true love, Bassanio. Though, Bassanio and Portia love each other the only way they can get married is if Bassanio chooses the right casket amongst gold, silver and lead. Inside one of these caskets contains Portias picture and whoever out of all suitors chooses the right casket with her photo in it has the opportunity to marry Portia and she cannot deny it. Therefore, if Bassanio chooses the right casket, he will forever be Portia’s and Portia will forever be his and they can get married. In addition, both female characters Portia and Jessica wish to get married and even though they eventually get with their lovers; in both cases both the woman’s marriage depends on her father’s wealth and love. In the play, Portia also disguises herself as a man near the end of the story. She disguises herself as a man because she needs to save the friend, Antonio, of her love, Bassanio. As Antonio is a Christian, he is most definitely hated by Shylock. In the beginning of the play, Shylock and Antonio made a bond of money. On a certain date, with a certain amount, at a certain time, Antonio was supposed to pay Shylock back with the 3000 ducats he had borrowed from...