1)Why does Prince of Morocco doubt his worth to deserve Portia?
2)Why does the Prince of Morocco change his mind shortly after this and say that he deserves Portia?
What reasons did he give?
3) Explain the following lines:
a) And weigh the value with an even hand
b) a weak disabling of myself
4) Why does the Prince of Morocco not choose the lead casket?
*NOTE: These are all in term of Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare
Answers
1) The prince of Morocco doubts his worth to deserve Portia as he is dark skinned. In the Elizabethan time dark people skinned were regarded as devils. In beginning of this speech, The Prince of Morocco tells Portia to not get deceived by his dark complexion as he is stronger than most white skinned people and he justifies his points.
2) He changes his mind because he believes that he is stronger than most people and is capable of doing anything to woo Portia. He says that he he would look defiantly into the eyes that are very bold and challenge him, would pull away the cubs sucking from the she-bear and even challenge the lion when he roars for prey.
3) a) The Prince tells himself to view him the level of an equal.
b) The prince feels that he does not deserve her is a way of underestimating himself.
4) The prince does not choose the lead casket as he believed that it was very dull and displayed only a blunt warning. He says that the casket is too threatening. He says that men who risk everything hope to make profits and has a golden mind doesn’t bend down to choose something worthless. He also says that the lead casket is too crass to contain a portrait of a beautiful woman as Portia.
Answer:
answer 1) Morocco initially doubts about his worth to deserve portia because he thinks that though by his own standard his merits may be very high yet those merits may not be sufficient enough to deserve portia as her reputation is greater than his