MERCHANT OF VENICE ACT 2 SCENE 1

                                                 ACT 2 SCENE 1

1

(i)This scene takes place in a room in portia’s house at Belmont. People
present are: Prince of Morocco and his attendants, Portia, Nerissa
and her attendants. Morocco says that he got his dark colour because
of the fierce sun. He was born and brought up in a country where
the sun is very close to the earth.

(ii)People born in north are fair skinned. This is because the sun’s rays
are so faint in the north that they are hardly able to melt the frost,
snow and icicles.

(iii) Phoebus in Greek mythology is one of the names of the Sun God,
Apollo. "Phoebus’ fire" means the rays of the sun. Morocco proposes
that he should be matched with any fair-skinned man born in the
north. They should open their veins to see whose blood is redder.
Red blood was considered to be a sign of courage.

(iv) Morocco’s physical appearance frightened the brave men whereas
the prettiest women admired and loved it.

(v) The speaker is prepared to change his dark complexion only to win
over Portia’s favour.

(vi) From the extract we know that the Prince of Morocco is a warrior
and self—assured man. He has a large imposing physical appearance
and is proud of his dark complexion. He is an egoist who thinks
that he is better than other people. He boasts of his red blood and
the admiration and affection he enjoys in his land from the nobles
and best of maidens.

2

(i)Lottery of Portia’s destiny refers to the lottery devised according
to her deceased father’s will. According to the lottery, each suitor
has to choose from amongst the three caskets of gold, silver and
lead the one containing Portia’s portrait. The suitor who will make
the correct choice will win Portia’s hand in marriage. The lottery of
caskets designed by her father, thus prevents Portia from exercising
her freedom of choice. The suitor, who will make the right choice
will win her as wife.

(ii) These lines mean: “If I had not been limited and restricted by my
father’s wisdom and obliged to accept for a husband the one who
will succeed in winning me by the means I have told you.”

(iii) Portia’s father was prudent to have arranged for her marriage through
a lottery. We see that at the end the wisdom of her father prevails
and she is won as wife by Bassanio whom she loves and admires.

(iv) From the extract we know that the Prince of Morocco is a warrior

and self assured man. He has a large imposing physical appearance
and is proud of his dark complexion. He is an egoist who thinks
that he is  better than other people. He boasts of his red blood and
lhe admiration and affection he enjoys in his land from the nobles
and best of maidens. He admits that the lottery of the caskets has
no consideration for heroism and can be won by anyone, even an
mutt-serving candidate. He harps on the idea of chance — choice
lottery, destiny, rhosing, fortune and hazards.

(v) Portia does not really mean that Morocco had a good chance
of ‘winning her love, because in Act I, Scene 2 she holds her former
suitors in contempt. She thinks the same of Morocco because he is
boastful. portia treats him with perfect courtesy and tact and speaks
as if she holds him in high esteem,

3.

(i) Scimitar means sword. By using his sword, Morocco had slain the
emperor of Persia and a Persian prince, who had defeated Sultan
solyman of Turkey thrice.

(It) The brave deeds Morocco is prepared to perform in order to win
Portia are:
(i) to challenge the most brave warrior on earth.

(ii) snatch away the young sucking cubs from the mother bear and
dare her wrath.

(iii) ln Greek mythology, Hercules was renowned for his manliness,
strength and exploits. Lichas was his servant. According to the legend,
once Hercules and Lichas were playing a game of dice. By chance,
the winning throw came from Lichas. This example is applicable to
Morocco since his fame, wealth and achievements are of no help
to him to win Portia. He is forced to take his chance against any
inferior rival.

(iv) The goddess fortune is usually represented blindfolded. Fortune is said
to be blind due to the unaccountable variations in her dispensation
of favours to mankind. he fears that as the blind fortune is leading
him to choose the right casket, the outcome depends only on chance
as in a game of dice.

(v) Before he is led to make the choice, Portia tells Morocco that he
must take a chance. He must either leave the matter altogether and
not make the attempt or swear in the Chapel before choosing, that if

he makes the wrong choice, he will never again speak to any lady
on the subject of marriage. .

(vi) Before he makes the choice of the Casket, Portia asks Morocco togo
to the temple to swear an oath that if he makes the wrong chOice.
he will never again speak to any lady on the sublect of marriage.