Thirst And Hunger Can Not Be Disregarded

William Shakespeare's comedy, The Merchant of Venice, besides many important issues, portrays differences between people in terms of color, race and religion. Through out the history of literature, numerous experts, students and readers have tried to figure out Shakespeare's′ aim in portraying several characters of different ethnicities and religions. Many of these characters, such as The Prince of Morocco, were involved and apparent in the play for various reasons, but most importantly to contribute to the forming of the other characters in the play. The Prince of Morocco, even though appears only in two scenes plays an important role in the play. Shakespeare introduces the character of the Prince of Morocco because he illustrates that appearances sometimes may deceive and alter one′s mind. Moreover he is also the proof that Portia is not just, who acts like one at the end of the play, and more importantly she treats and separates people according to their appearances and backgrounds. Shakespeare portrays the character of Prince Morocco as a ′bait′ or as a tool to form the characteristics of the women of Belmont, especially Portia for the audience.

Throughout the play we see two different settings; Belmont and Venice. Venice, in Italy, the center of commerce, which is strategically and economically important therefore it collides people all over the world and from different backgrounds. It is also the world of men; money and business are mainly the issues that are talked about. Belmont; unlike Venice, is a non-existent place and a world of women who are concerned with love and romance. We are introduced to Belmont usually in a non-public area, usually Portia′s house. The prince of Morocco, who is introduced to the audience by Narissa at the end of Act1 Scene2, attracts the attention of the audience because we know that he is disliked by Portia, ′If I have the condition of a saint and the complexion of a devil, I had rather should shrive me than wive me. ′′ (1.2.129). the audience wonders the reason that would make Portia want to die rather than marrying him. Is he a murderer? A torturer? An evil? Oh, no- much worse; he is Moroccan. ′Τhe Prince of Morocco′ is the one and only title given to the prince and this underlines the fact one′s personality and heart are undermined and disguised by these women whereas that person′s reputation, status and appearance is either praised or beguiled.

The Prince in the play, he dresses all in white, in contrast to his skin color. Even though there is no way for him to hide from his skin color, he is certainly not trying to cover himself up, in fact he is proud of his skin color. Therefore, he looks self confident and sure of himself. The first line he uses when he enters to her house is ′Mislike me not for my complexion′ as if he is aware of the fact that he is an outsider and not ashamed of it. Moreover, even though he seems so full of himself, he is also vulnerable and afraid that Portia can judge him because of his appearance. Therefore, as soon as he enters the house he puts his difference on the table. Furthermore, if he had enough self-esteem, he would not have started his conversation with the complexions he has. He is not only bragging about his ′aspects′ but also his successes. Later on, he says, "The best regarded virgins of our clime have loved it too..." (2.1,10-11). He is proud of his skin color and says that his completion in fact won him many women. Even though it is not usually something appropriate to say when you are meeting your significant other, the prince feels obligated to say all these accomplishments he has with other women in order to win Portia′s heart.

Furthermore, he relates his skin color to the sun, where he claims he gets his strength. Then, he goes on and says ′and let us make incision for your love′. Shakespeare deliberately uses the image of flesh and blood to emphasize the importance of the manhood and strength. It also serves as a foreshadowing of the issues that Antonio and Shylock will have later on the play.

In earlier centuries, philosophers such as Gorgias and Socrates believed in the power of rhetoric; ′the art of persuading′ (The Rhetorical Tradition by Bonnie Jefferson). The Prince, in his first speech is also using the persuasion method and tries to convince his target, which in this case is Portia. He continuously underlines the fact that he is strong, ′to prove whose blood is reddest, his or mine′, Shakespeare emphasizes the fact that somehow blood, which is internal, will reveal the truth about one′s external qualities. Blood, which is used many times in the