In Act one, Scene 2, Portia discusses with Nerissa the various reasons why she refuses to marry any of the previous suitors. After Portia lists why the Neapolitan prince, Count Palatine, and Falconbridge, the English baron are not fit to marry her, Nerissa asks Portia about the Scottish lord. Portia sarcastically comments that he has neighborly charity and is very forgiving since the Englishman boxed his ears and he did not retaliate. Rather than defend himself, the Scottish lord threatened to pay the Englishman back. Then, the Frenchman agreed to help the Scottish lord, but never did, which guaranteed him another another beating from the Englishman. Portia wittingly mocks the Scottish lord's inability to defend himself against the English who took control of Scotland. However, Portia does not go into further detail as to why she chooses not to marry him. One can surmise that his lack of masculinity and willingness to defend his country against invasion is the reason he is not a serious candidate to marry Portia.
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