The Merchant of Venice

Roles

• Morocco - Young Adult (20-35), Adult (36-50), Male

About this piece

Morocco tries to pick the right chest to win Portia's hand

Summary

Bassanio, a gentleman from Venice, asks his kinsman and friend Antonio, a Venitian merchant, for a loan so that he can court Portia, a woman from Belmont he has fallen in love with. Having all his money locked in investments, Antonio suggests to visit Shylock, a Jewish moneylender he is not in best terms with. Antonio hates Jews and always criticizes them for their usury. As a revenge, Shylock agrees to lend Bassanio some money with the condition that if he fails to pay him back then he will be entitled to a pound of Antonio's flesh. In the meanwhile Portia has to deal with several suitors she is not interested in. Her father has decided to give his daughter's hand in marriage to the first suitor that manages to pick a chest containing her portrait out of three chests. Lancelot Gobbo, Shylock's servant, decides to leave his master and work for Bassanio, who accepts him as his servant. Bassanio and his friend Graziano leave for Belmont after having helped their friend Lorenzo to escape with Jessica, Shylock's daughter. In this scene we are in Belmont where Portia has lead one of her suitors, the Prince of Morocco, to the three chests from which he will have to pick the right one to win Portia's hand. In this monologue, ACT II, Scene 2, the Prince ponders on which one to choose..

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