Merchant of Venice Act 2 Scene 1 Flashcards
What achievements does Morocco gloat about?
- Slaying the Sophy, the Emperor of Persia, and a Persian prince
- Defeating Sultan Solyman, the leader of the Turks against the Persians, thrice.
What are the first things that the Prince of Morocco says to Portia?
The Prince of Morocco asks Portia not to dislike him for his skin colour. He says that, though his skin is darker, his blood is as red and he has as much spirit and courage as any north-born person with a lighter complexion. He adds that he would be willing to cut himself to prove this. Regardless of this, he adds that he would change his complexion to gain Portia’s love.
What comparison does the Prince of Morocco make when explaining that the casket system is luck based?
The Prince of Morocco alludes to a game of dice between Hercules and Lychas, Hercules’ servant. He says that, even though Hercules may be a stronger person, Lychas may still win because a game of dice is based on luck.
Similarly, the casket system is also based on luck. The Prince of Morocco’s great strength and capability does not matter in the casket system because, in his eyes, it is luck based.
Where does Act 2 Scene 1 take place?
It takes place in Belmont in a room in Portia’s house.
What are the first things that Portia tells the prince of Morocco?
Portia says that she does not have the freedom to choose who she will marry because the “lottery of her destiny” “bars” her the “right of voluntary choosing”. She says that, if her father had not restricted her and bound her in his wisdom, the Prince of Morocco would stand as good of a chance of getting married to Portia as any other suitor that has come to her.
