In Act 2, Scene 1 of “The Merchant of Venice,” the Prince of Morocco arrives at Belmont to attempt the casket challenge for Portia’s hand in marriage. He begins by acknowledging his dark complexion, asking Portia not to judge him by his skin color, as he is as valorous and noble as any pale-skinned northern suitor. Morocco boasts of his courage and accomplishments, claiming he has been feared by the bravest men and has won the affections of the finest maidens in his land. He declares that he would not change his complexion except to win Portia’s favor, and challenges any suitor to prove themselves worthier by drawing blood to see whose is redder.

Portia responds diplomatically, stating that she is not led solely by the direction of her eyes in matters of the heart, and that in any case, she is bound by the terms of her father’s will and cannot choose her husband freely. She assures Morocco that he stands as fair a chance as any suitor who has come to try the lottery of the caskets. Morocco must swear an oath before attempting the challenge: if he chooses incorrectly, he must never reveal which casket he selected, must depart immediately, and must never afterward propose marriage to any woman. Morocco readily accepts these conditions and agrees to take the oath before dinner, after which he will make his attempt at the casket test.

The Merchant of Venice centers on Bassanio, a young Venetian gentleman who needs money to court the wealthy heiress Portia in Belmont. His friend Antonio, a merchant, agrees to help but has no ready cash since his ships are at sea. Antonio borrows 3,000 ducats from Shylock, a Jewish moneylender, with the unusual condition that if the loan isn’t repaid within three months, Shylock may take a pound of Antonio’s flesh. Meanwhile, Shylock’s daughter Jessica elopes with the Christian Lorenzo, taking her father’s money and jewels.

In Belmont, Portia’s deceased father has decreed that her suitors must choose correctly among three caskets—gold, silver, and lead—to win her hand. The Prince of Morocco and the Prince of Arragon both choose incorrectly and depart. When Bassanio arrives and selects the lead casket, he wins Portia, while his friend Gratiano wins her maid Nerissa. Their celebrations are interrupted by news that Antonio’s ships have been lost and Shylock demands his pound of flesh.

Portia and Nerissa disguise themselves as a lawyer and clerk and travel to Venice for Antonio’s trial. In court, Portia grants Shylock his legal right to the flesh but warns he may take no blood and must cut exactly one pound—an impossible task. Defeated, Shylock loses his bond and, under Venetian law, must forfeit half his wealth and convert to Christianity. The disguised Portia requests Bassanio’s wedding ring as payment, which he reluctantly gives. Back in Belmont, Portia playfully scolds her husband for giving away his ring before revealing her disguise. The play concludes with news that Antonio’s ships have safely returned, restoring his fortune.