1. Cash 1
Sandy Cash
Professor Bouchard
ENG 132
Summary of Act II
February 29, 2012
Summary of Act II of the Merchant of Venice
Act II begins with the prince of Morocco is at Portia’s house, trying to win her hand in
marriage. While the Prince of Morocco is talking to Portia, Portia tells him that she can
not pick her husband, for the only way she will get married is if a man picks the right
casket. She also reminds him, that if he picks the wrong casket that’s it, and he can not
come back to court her.
In the next scene, Lorenzo is having this conversation with himself where he is trying to
decide if he should run away from his master or not. His master is Shylock, the rich Jew
and the father of Jessica. Lorenzo does not really give any reasons as to why he should
run away from his master other than the fact that his master is a Jew. While he is deciding
if he should run away or not, his father Old Gobbo comes asking for directions to
Shylock’s house. Lorenzo decides to confused his father by giving him confusing
directions to Shylock’s house. After this Lorenzo then tries to confuse his father by
telling him that his son is dead. His father then asks Lorenzo if it is true that his son is
dead. At first Lorenzo does not answer but says, “Do you know me, father?” After a few
while, Lorenzo tells his father that he is alive and that he is his son, who plans on running
away from his master Shylock, and tells his father that he wants his master to be
Bassanio. Later, Bassanio comes to this street that Lorenzo and Old Gobbo are at; when

2. Cash 2
they see him, they beg him to take Lorenzo as his servant. After begging for a while,
Bassanio agrees to take Lorenzo as his servant. After Lorenzo and Old Gobbo leave,
Bassanio meets up with Gratiano, who wants to come with him on his journey. Bassanio
tells Gratiano, that he can not come with him, because he is too rash, wild, and rude.
Gratiano promises to be on his best behavior if Bassanio will let him come with him.
Bassanio agrees to this, and plans on a night of fun, before they leave.
After that scene it moves on to Jessica is talking to Launcelot saying, she is sorry he is
leaving, and understands why he is leaving. She also asks Launcelot that if he sees
Lorenzo, to give him her letter secretly. After Launcelot leaves, Jessica talks to herself
saying how she is a horrible daughter, for she is ashamed of her father, and wants to
marry Lorenzo who is not a Jew.
Next, Gratiano, Lorenzo, Salarino, and Salerio all getting ready to for their journey, when
Launcelot comes to give Lorenzo Jessica’s letter. After Launcelot gives Lorenzo the
letter from Jessica, Gratiano asks if the letter is from Jessica. Lorenzo tells Gratiano that
it is from Jessica, and that she will escape from her father’s house if Lorenzo wants her
to.
Then, Shylock is tells Launcelot that Lorenzo will not be as merciful as he himself was to
Launcelot. After this, Shylock calls for Jessica, and he tells her that he is going to dinner,
and that she should keep the doors lock and not to let anyone in. Launcelot tells Jessica to
disobey her father, because Lorenzo will be coming to help her escape. After Launcelot
leaves, Shylock asks what Jessica what Launcelot told her, she replies that he just said
goodbye to her.

3. Cash 3
Afterward, Gratiano, and Salarino are waiting at Shylock’s house for Lorenzo, to help
Jessica escape. While they wait for Lorenzo to come, they talk about love and lovers.
Then Lorenzo comes and apologies for being late. Next Jessica comes out looking like a
page. She then gives Lorenzo a casket of gold, and jewels. They then all leave to join
Bassanio.
In the next scene, is back to Portia’s house, where the Prince of Morocco is about to try
his lucky at the caskets in order to win Portia's hand in marriage. There are three caskets
he must pick from, one made from gold with the inscription, “Who chooseth me shall
gain what many men desire,” the second made of silver with the inscription, “Who
chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves,” and lastly the third casket made of lead
with the inscription “Who chooseth me shall must give and hazard all he hath.” Portia
tells the Prince of Morocco that one of these caskets contains her picture, and if he picks
that casket, she will marry him. The Prince of Morocco then decides which casket to
pick, he later picks the casket made of gold. Portia then gives him the key to the casket,
once he opens it he finds out that it is not the right casket. He now must leave, and Portia
is happy for him to leave.
Subsequently, Salarino is telling Solanio about how mad Shylock is about his daughter
escaping; saying, that Shylock was shouting about his lose of his daughter and his money,
and asking for justice. Solanio tells Salarion that he hopes Antonia will be able to pay his
bond; otherwise, he will pay for this. Salarion then reminds him of the rumor that the
ships have miscarried in the English Channel. Then they both remember Bassanio’s
departure from Antonio, and how Antonio told Bassanio not to worry about money while
he goes to court Portia.

4. Cash 4
The last part of this act is when the prince of Arragon tries his luck at getting Portia was
his wife. Portia brings him to the room with the caskets, which he picks the silver one;
only to be wrong like the prince of Morocco. After he leaves, a servant comes telling
Portia that a promising young Venetian is coming to try to win Portia’s hand in marriage.
Portia and Nerissa are hoping that it is Bassanio, who Portia does like. They go out to
greet the new suitor.
Portia is to be racists and sexists against the men who came to try to win her hand in
marriage in this act of the play. She is overjoyed when the prince of Morocco and the
prince of Arragon leave in failure. Racism is a common issue that people have to deal
with. I know for myself I might not judge someone by his or her race, but I can judge a
person by his or her looks. For me, when I see fellow peers who have many piercing and
tattoos, I sometimes only think that they are these tough people that I do not want to
meet, for they intimidate me. I have learned to stop judging people by their looks dealing
with piercings and tattoos, through my online high school. While attending my online
high school, I actually got to talk my fellow peers, and actually get to know them. Later
when I actually met them in person I was surprised at all their piercings and tattoos but I
learned to get over all those things, for they are still my friends who are really these nice
people, even if they do look tough or mean.