Merchant of Venice Lesson Plan

What is your opinion of the Prince of Morocco? What is Portia's opinion of him?

One thing that is likely to jump out at the reader is Portia's blatant racism. Portia is civil to the Prince of Morocco, but it is clear she has no desire to marry him. And she plainly tells us that her reluctance is at least partly due to her biases against black people.

That said, there are plenty of other legitimate, non-racist, reasons for her lack of interest. The prince never makes much a connection with Portia--nor does he really try to. He seems to see Portia as a trophy to be won, rather than a human being to form a connection to. His boasts about his sexual conquests and acts of...