Home
# Travel >> Destinations >> Caribbean

Prince of Morocco in *The Merchant of Venice*: Character Analysis

In Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice, the Prince of Morocco appears in Act 2, Scenes 1 & 7 as one of Portia's suitors in the casket lottery. Though brief, his role illuminates key themes.

Character Traits

Thematic Function

  • Race & appearance vs. inner worth: Morocco's eloquence contrasts with his "dark" exterior—challenging Elizabethan prejudice
  • Gold casket symbolism: Chooses worldly desire over wisdom (silver) or hazard (lead) — reflects external valuation
  • Foil to Bassanio: Both outsiders; Morocco fails the test, Bassanio succeeds (chooses lead)
  • Portia's relief: "A gentle riddance" reveals her own bias despite polite courtesy

Significance

Morocco is Shakespeare's most dignified Black character—noble, articulate, self-aware, and unbitter. His failure stems from the test's design (superficial choice), not personal flaw. The scene critiques a society that judges by "ornament" over essence.

Caribbean
Caribbean
Wanderlust World
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Australia
  • Canada
  • Caribbean
  • Central America
  • Europe
  • Ireland
  • Mexico
  • New Zealand
  • North America
  • Other Destinations
  • South America
  • South Pacific
  • United Kingdom
  • United States
    • Wanderlust World
    Copyright Wanderlust World © https://www.ynyoo.com
    TraitEvidence
    Pride in heritage"Mislike me not for my complexion... / The shadowed livery of the burnished sun" (2.1.1–2)
    Martial valorReferences fighting "Sophy" (Shah of Persia) and "Sultan Solyman" (Ottoman)
    Awareness of prejudiceAnticipates rejection based on color; demands judgment by blood, not skin
    Superficial judgmentChooses gold casket ("Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire")
    Grace in defeatAccepts loss with dignity: "Cold indeed, and labour lost: / Then, farewell, heat, and welcome, frost!"