Most interesting character in act 1 of "The Merchant of Venice"

While reading the first act of The Merchant of Venice we were introduced to the main characters, and the one that I found most interesting was Portia. I though she was a very interesting, independent, and opinionated woman. The way she stood her own and didn't like her suitors, even when Nerissa listed all of them and Portia said exactly why she didn't like them. Also when she knew her ways of sneaking around a situation with the wine glass on top of the wrong chest. She isn't afraid to speak her mind, while still knowing her boundaries and her father's wish, and she knows what she does and doesn't want. I think it is so interesting how when you would think of a woman from that era, you would think they were always seen as unable and totally dependent on a man, but she was defeating every single one of those barriers which I though was so cool. She seemed liked such a well thought out character and like she has a really deep, clear, approach to things. Since we didn't get to see all that much of her in act 1, I am really excited to see where her character goes in the rest of the play.