Her intelligent tongue is revealed at the beginning of the work, where she expresses her disgust for the suitors through subliminal messages, declaring that the Prince of Morocco "looked as handsome / Like every other I have already looked / For my affection” (II.i.20-2) Although the prince may believe that she is complimenting his appearance, in reality she laces her words with a double meaning to appear to be words of praise when they are actually meant to insult him. Portia's high intelligence and brilliant reasoning are applied most effectively in Shylock and Antonio's trial scene, where she displays unparalleled legal knowledge and speaks eloquently about how. “the quality of mercy is not forced” (IV.i.184). Thanks to her wit and intelligence, Portia is able to reverse the punishment on Shylock by finding a loophole in the bond: “this bond gives you here no iota of blood; [...] in cutting it, if you shed / One drop of Christian blood, your lands and your goods / Are, by the laws of Venice, confiscated” (IV.i.309-11). This in itself shows strength and power that the typical Renaissance woman was said not to have. Through his ability to single-handedly save Antony's life and Shylock's subsequent surrender, Shakespeare emphasizes the power of his female characters and the deserved praise of women.