Act 1 Scene 2. Flashcards
Characters: Portia. Nerissa.
What is Portia discussing with Nerissa with regards to her father’s will?
According to the will of her late father, Portia cannot marry a man of her own choosing. Instead, she must make herself available to all suitors and accept the one who chooses “rightly” from among “three chests of gold, silver and lead.”
How does Nerissa react to what has been stated in Card 1?
Nerissa tries to comfort Portia and tells her that surely her father knew what he was doing. Nerissa asks whether Portia likes any of the suitors she’s seen so far.
Why does Portia not like the Neapolitan prince (from Naples)?
The Neapolitan prince talks only of his horse, which he can shoe himself to his great pleasure. Portia suggests that his mother must have been unfaithful with a smith who shoed horses.
Why does Portia not like the County Palatine (from Germany)?
County Palatine is too gloomy and unhappy.
Why does Portia not like Monsieur Le Bon (The French Lord)?
He has too many personalities, dances a lot and is not courageous.
Why does Portia not like Falconbridge/ they young baron of England?
Falconbridge doesn’t speak any languages that Portia understands, he has no proper manners and dresses in odd clothes from other countries.
Why does Portia not like the Scottish Lord?
Portia says the best she can say of the Scot is that he took a blow from the Englishman, and very kindly offered to pay it back with the support of the Frenchman.
Why does Portia not like the Duke of Saxony’s nephew (the young German)?
She doesn’t like him when he’s sober, but she especially doesn’t like him when he’s drunk.
Nerissa then reminds Portia of a gentleman who came to Belmont, Bassanio, how does Portia react to this?
Portia recalls him and praises him highly.
Why does Portia not like the Prince of Morrocco?
Because he’s black like “a devil,” Portia says there’s no way she wants to marry him.
