The story moves back to Belmont, where the Prince of Morocco has arrived to try his luck with the lottery system to win Portia’s hand in marriage. He begins his talk with Portia by asking her not to judge him based on the colour of his skin. “Mislike me not for my complexion.” He says that his blood is as red as any white man. (Red blood was seen as a symbol of masculinity-The symbol of blood is seen again, later in the play)
Portia responds to the prince by telling him, that ‘In terms of choice I am not solely led/ By nice direction of a maiden’s eyes,” which means that she does not decide based on looks alone. She also tells him that she is bound by her father’s lottery and that if she was able to choose herself, he would stand as good a chance as any of the suitors.
The prince thanks her for her kind words and tells her all the things that he would do to win her hand, but that his fortune will be decided via a lottery and not through bravery, which may result in an inferior suitor winning Portia’s hand.
Portia also reveals the terms of the lottery and that of any man decides to take part, he must swear an oath that if he choose wrong, he ‘never to speak to lady afterward/ in way of marriage,” meaning that he may not ever propose marriage to another woman. The prince agrees to the terms and says he will take his chances. They go to the temple to swear the oath and we learn that the prince will pick his casket after dinner.
Questions:
- What oath do men have to take in order to partake in the lottery? Why would her father choose to do this?
- What things would the prince do to win Portia?
- How does the prince feel about his complexion? Explain your answer.
Key Quotes
“Mislike me not for my complexion.” Prince of Morocco
‘In terms of choice I am not solely led/ By nice direction of a maiden’s eyes,” Portia
never to speak to lady afterward/ in way of marriage,” Portia
Enda's English Notes 