The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare -- Act 1, Scene 2 -- Summary and Analysis

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Summary

Portia says she is weary, and her companion Nerissa comforts her. Portia expresses frustration at the will her father left her. In lieu of choosing a husband, she must marry the man who chooses the correct chest/casket out of three that contain gold, silver, and lead. Portia is not fond of the foolish Neapolitan prince, nor of the too serious County Palatine. She rejects the other suitors for various reasons. She contemplates tricking them into choosing the wrong casket. Nerissa comforts her and says that she need not worry because none of these men are willing to risk the casket test. Nerissa recalls a Venetian scholar/soldier who visited her father once, and he was worthy of a lady.

A serving-man enters and announces the arrival of a fifth suitor, the Prince of Morocco. 


Main events

  • We meet Portia who will marry the man who chooses the correct casket of three, as dictated by her father's will.


Participating Characters

  • Portia
  • Nerissa
  • Servingman


Themes

  • Professions of intent come more easily than actions (easier said than done)
  • A medium state is better than either extreme
  • The silliness of law: the dead dictate to the living

I may neither choose who I

would, nor refuse who I dislike, so is the will of a living daughter 20

curbed by the will of a dead father.

  • characterization


Analysis and Discussion

  • No iambic pentameter in Portia and Nerissa's speech???
  • The first lines of scene II mirror the first lines of scene I thematically. People worry and their friends comfort them
  • Puns 

PORTIA Ay, that's a colt indeed, for he doth nothing but talk of his

Horse

  • Racism instead of piousness for comedic effect:

PORTIA If I could bid the fifth welcome with so good heart as I can bid 105

the other four farewell, I should be glad of his approach. If he have

the condition of a saint, and the complexion of a devil, I had rather

he should shrive me than wive me.


    Table of Contents: The Merchant of Venice -- Summary and Analysis



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