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ArchivesRe: Pig Farmer..., Heiress...?
in reply to a message by Sabertooth
"From Latin portionem (nominative portio) "share, part," accusative of the noun in the phrase pro portione "according to the relation (of parts to each other)" (see proportion). From late 14c. in general sense of "section into which something is divided.""
Portia as a derivative of portio rather than Porcius actually makes a lot more sense. Not only does Portia more closely resemble portio but, for Shakespeare's purposes, the name could be a nod to the fact that his character inherited a full portion of her fathers estate. Additionally within the play while acting as a lawyer, Portia strove to ensure that Antonio was not punished with a sentence that was out of proportion to his crime. This should definitely be added as a possible meaning of the name.
Portia as a derivative of portio rather than Porcius actually makes a lot more sense. Not only does Portia more closely resemble portio but, for Shakespeare's purposes, the name could be a nod to the fact that his character inherited a full portion of her fathers estate. Additionally within the play while acting as a lawyer, Portia strove to ensure that Antonio was not punished with a sentence that was out of proportion to his crime. This should definitely be added as a possible meaning of the name.
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