Nerissa

Question 1

Nerissa character summary

Answer 1

Portia’s servant and confidante (ultimately marries Gratiano). When introduced, many of her lines are proverbs - expresses common truth, showing she is wise

Question 2

Nerissa quotes: loyalty

Answer 2

P’s parents are dead, N is her main source of advice/support: reminds P that her “good fortunes” outweight her “miseries” & reassures her she’ll find a worthy husband
Shows dedication to P by disguising herself as lawyer’s clerk to help her save A

Question 3

Nerrisa quotes: friendship

Answer 3

N puts P’s happiness before her own: wont get married unless P does too & checks that P approves of her marriage before agreeing to it (almost like parents approval)
Only time N & P speak in prose is to each other in Act 1, Scene 2, siggesting they are comfortable w eachother
N mirrors P’s character throughout plau - both find husbands, both trick husbands into giving away rings, disguises themselves - emphasises close relationship/similarities

Question 4

Nerissa quotes: playful, light-hearted

Answer 4

When N criticises Gratiano for giving away ring, she provides much needed comic relief for audience - contributing to light-hearted atmosphere of Act 5