The story now moves to Belmont and we are introduced to Portia, the lady, who Bassanio told us, is ‘richly left.’ She is attended by her servant Nerissa and tells her that she is tired of the world. Nerissa tells her that she would be miserable if her problems were as great as her vast fortune. She goes on to say that she thinks people who have too much seem to have as many worries as those who have too little.
Portia says that it is easier to know what to do than actually do it. She tells us that while our mind might no what to do, emotion often takes over. She goes on to explain the reason for her sadness. “I may neither choose who I would nor refuse who/ I dislike.” She tells us that she is unable to choose who she wishes to marry and does not have the right to refuse to marry, if she dislikes the man.
Nerissa tells her that her father was a virtuous and holy man and that the lottery that he devised to find his daughter a husband will be a suitable match for her. We are told that her fate is in the hands of three caskets, gold, silver and lead. Portia tells Nerissa to go through the list of suitors and she grade them.
We hear that the Neapolitan prince is so obsessed with his horse and his ability to shoe the horse that Portia thinks his mother must have had an affair with a blacksmith. The county Palatine is so sad that when he hears a funny story, he does not even smile. Portia is adamant that she would not want to marry him.
The French lord, we are told would fight at the drop of a hat and that if she marries him, “I should marry twenty husbands.” The Baron of England cannot understand Portia and she cannot understand him so they cannot communicate. She also criticises his clothes, saying that they do not match.
We hear that the young German is a drunk and that the Scottish lord was too cowardly to fight back against the English baron, highlighting how she does not wish to marry any of these men. Nerissa tells her that none of the men will be taking part in the lottery and intend to return home and Portia worries that she will never get married.
Nerissa asks Portia if she remembers a young Venetian called Bassanio who once came to Belmont. Portia says that she does and Nerissa tells her that ‘“of all the men that ever my foolish eyes looked upon was best deserving a fair lady.” Portia agrees with this assessment but they are interrupted by a servant who tells them that the suitors are going to leave and that the Prince of Morocco is on his way to try to win Portia’s hand.
Questions:
- Why can Portia not marry who she wants?
- Describe the various suitors and Portia’s reactions to them.
- What do the two women think of Bassanio?
- What does Nerissa tell us about human behaviour in the opening of the scene? Do you agree with this?
Key Quotes:
“I may neither choose who I would nor refuse who/ I dislike.” (Portia)
“of all the men that ever my foolish eyes looked upon was best deserving a fair lady. (Nerissa