In Act 1, Scene 2 of The Merchant of Venice, Portia and Nerissa discuss the various suitors which have traveled to Belmont and attempted to marry Portia. Portia begins the scene by lamenting the fact that she essentially has no say in who she will marry because of her father's will. Portia tells Nerissa that it is unfair and says that she is weary of the world. Portia's hopeless comments depict her melancholy attitude. Nerissa then lists the names of the suitors which have already visited Belmont and Portia negatively describes each of them. Portia displays her anxiety to find a favorable suitor and fears that she will die a virgin if no suitor is able to woo her according to her father's will. At the end of the scene, one of Portia's servants says that a messenger has arrived on the behalf of the Prince of Morocco. The audience is left with a feeling of suspense because they do not know whether or not the Prince of Morocco will be a favorable suitor or upset Portia like the others have.
No comments:
Post a Comment