At First Glance

In Merchant of Venice one of the most distinctive characters that surprises the readers at the end of the play is Portia. She is most surprising due to the fact that she is first introduced in the play as being some sort of prize that the male figures compete for because she is wealthy and beautiful. No one regards her as being a threat or smart enough to cause trouble because her full potential is not revealed yet. But she is indeed resourceful and can sometimes come off as being a free spirit who abides rigidly by rules when in reality she seems to be almost a prisoner in her own home. But as the play goes on Portia’s character changes for the better and we come to realize that she isn't afraid of breaking the rules. Only difference is that she is smart enough to make the law work for her and is still able to get away with her actions.

          Portia reminds me very much of Katniss Everdeen from the Hunger Games movie because in this film we are seeing a new type of heroine who defies gender stereotypes in cinema. She is not a victim, nor is she passive or cold. She takes action, and is compassionate yet still strong and takes care of her own. We start noticing her as this girl who pretty much has to take care of the ones she loves and is good with a bow but as the movie goes on we come to realize that she has amazing hidden skills which is what helps her survive the games.

In terms of romantic interests. She also has guys chasing after her just like Portia’s suitors. But only difference is that both guys chasing Katniss love her whereas Portia’s suitors just wanted to take advantage of her. Katniss is eventually caught having to choose between her best friend from home, Gale, and another contestant in the games with her, Peta. Overall both women are independent and make it very clear that they don’t need a male figure in their life to take care of them. These women take charge of the relationship and are fearless.

Lavinia's Story Retold with a Twist

     The great majority of women had very restricted social, economic, and legal statues. They weren't able to voice their opinion or make any decision on their own. In Titus Andronicus these expectations can be seen in Lavinia role where she is rendered as powerless even though she comes from a noble family. Lavinia was spoken of highly due to her beauty and her pureness.

   The same idea can apply when making the connection to the movie Maleficent but with a twist. In the movie Maleficent the main character is played by Angelina Jolie and she comes from a royal family but unlike Lavinia she held a great deal of power and was respected immensely due to having the biggest and strongest wings. 

 

   Both Lavinia and Maleficent end up losing what was considered their source of power and they are rendered as useless and even helpless. 

The only difference is that even when Lavinia gets raped and has her tongue as well as both her hands cut of she doesn't think of seeking revenge on those who did her wrong. She just relies on the male figure in her life to help her. Where as in Maleficent she is blinded by rage and betrayal that it fuels her even more when plotting her revenge on the person who cut of her wings. Maleficent breaks out of the expectations that are placed on what a woman can and can’t do. She doesn't wait around for a man to save her but rather takes matters into her own hands and in the end she is respected so much more and the best part is that after seeking her revenge she also gets her wings back where as Lavinia’s character is overlooked because she relies solely on her father and even than in the end he kills her. She never finds peace.