1.portray的基本意思是“描述”“画像”,指通过素描、雕塑、油画或表演、文学等手段按照自己头脑中的形象塑造并呈现出现实的效果,以表现人及其个性特征、感情或品质。引申可表示“扮演”。其宾语可以是人、物,也可以是事物。
2.portray是及物动词,接名词或代词作宾语,也可接as短语充当补足语的复合宾语。

portray in(v.+prep.)
(在书、戏剧、电影或绘画中)把某人描绘或刻画成 describe or show the character of (sb) in (a book, play, film or picture)
▲portray sth in sth
It is still not considered proper to portray Christ in a play or film.人们仍然认为在戏剧或电影中再现基督的形象是不妥当的。

用作及物动词
▲S+～+n./pron.
This painting portrays the death of Nelson.这幅画描绘了纳尔逊之死。
He portrayed a character in this play.他在这个剧中扮演一个角色。
Dickins portrays his characters to the life.狄更斯描绘的人物栩栩如生。
用作宾补动词
▲S+～+pron./n.+as n./pron.
He portrayed himself as a champion for democracy.他把自己描绘成民主斗士。
◇ 用于be ～ed结构
In British history books Richard Ⅲ is usually portrayed as a wicked man.在英国历史书中,查理三世通常被描述成一个邪恶的人。

portray, depict, describe
参见describe条。