Portia "the rich Italian Lady" A rich heiress who bemoans the edict of her late father, but acquiesces to his wishes that she marry the man who can correctly solve a puzzle: The will of a living daughter [is] curbed by the will of a dead father..." (Act 1, Sc. 2). In disguise, the resourceful Portia defends Antonio against Shylock's demand for "a pound of flesh." Derbhle (pronounced "Dervla") Crotty (Portia) graduated in Law from University College Dublin, and was awarded a Diploma in Drama Studies at the Samuel Beckett Centre. She has performed extensively with both the Royal National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company, and has made several appearances on television and radio in addition to her stage work.