Thursday, February 6, 2014

In The Merchant of Venice, what does Morocco say to impress Portia?

Act II, scene vii introduces the Prince of Morocco.  He has come
to attempt to win Portia's hand by selecting, between three, the casket that holds the picture of
Portia.  If he chooses correctly, Portia will be his wife.  This device has been set up by
Portia's late father and not Portia.  So, in essence, it does not matter whether Portia is
impressed by any of her potential suitors or not.  The caskets, as it were, will do the
choosing.


Since Morocco knows that Portia has no say in her
choosing, he shouldn't be assumed to be saying anything to impress or flatter Portia.  There is
no reason to believe that he is not speaking truthfully.  And, what he speaks (a full 30 lines
worth!) is all the highest of the high praise of Portia and his love for her.  He
says:



I do in birth
deserve her, and in fortunes,


In graces and in qualities of
breeding.


But more than these, in love I do
deserve.



And later he goes on about
how admired and desired she is around the world, and his reasoning leads him to choose the gold
casket.  He chooses wrongly and does not win Portia for his wife.  And Portia, once he is gone,
reveals her true feelings about Morocco (far from being impressed).  She
says:



A gentle
riddance. ...


Let all of his complexion choose me
so.



For more on Morocco and this
scene, please follow the links below.

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