Winston Churchill once said: “Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; it also takes courage to sit and listen. Throughout William Shakespeare's The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, Portia Catonis, Brutus's wife, plays the role of a supporting character who also introduces conflict into the subplot of their marriage. Not only does she stand up to Brutus, but she also inflicts injuries on herself and commits suicide, which leaves a mark on her life. William Shakespeare pays particular attention to the historical character Portia in The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, including her marriage to Brutus, her exceptional courage, and her other characteristics. Shakespeare portrays Portia as courageous and understanding in The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. Portia was known historically to love philosophy and also obtained courage, much like Shakespeare's portrayal of Portia does. In Roman Life in the Time of Cicero, Alfred John Church includes Plutarch's The Life of Julius Caesar in describing Portia as having "comprehensive courage." This shows how Shakespeare includes similar characteristics to the historical Portia in his literature. She constantly shows her affection towards Brutus – affection which he does not reciprocate – because of her guilty and doubtful conscience. She approaches him and says: “I, Brutus, being the daughter of Cato, have been given to you in marriage, not as a concubine, to participate only in the common relations of bed and food, but to take part in all your care. good and all your bad fortunes; and for your part, as to your care for me, I find no reason to complain; but from me, what proof of my love, what satisfaction can you receive, if I cannot share with you your hidden sorrows, nor be admitted to any of your councils which require secrecy and complicity. of paper......to reach Brutus. She bravely proves her undying love by ending her life to start over with her deceased lover. Works Cited Church, Alfred John. “CATO, BRUTUS AND PORCIA.” Roman life in the time of Cicero. New York: Dodd, Mead, 1883. N. pag. Print.Plutarch, Thomas North and TJB Spencer. Plutarch by Shakespeare; the lives of Julius Caesar, Brutus, Marcus Antonius and Coriolanus in Sir Thomas North's translation. Harmondsworth, Middlesex: Penguin, 1964. Print. River, Charles, ed. Notorious Assassins: The Life and Legacy of Marcus Brutus. Np: CreateSpace independent platform, 2013. Kindle. Robertson, Donald. “Lady Stoics #1: Porcia Catonis.” Stoicism and the art of happiness. Wordpress.com, December 11, 2013. Web. March 3, 2014. Shakespeare, William. The tragedy of Julius Caesar (1599). Np: np, and nd George Mason University. Internet. March 3. 2014.