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... [continues]

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