"A gentle riddance! Draw the curtains, go. / Let all of his complexion choose me so" (Shakespeare.II.vii.78-79).
Portia is pleased when Morocco picks the wrong casket because she was disappointed by his race. She is happy to see him leave because she knows that if he had chosen the right casket and they were to be married, she would not have been able to love him. Portia would have been giving Morocco the "worthless" version of herself (II.ix.17). Morocco would have gained Portia as his wife, but the relationship would have been emotionless. Morocco's quick departure is a sign that he was disappointed, but also that he was beginning to sense Portia's disinterest in him.
Katie--As we discussed a bit in class when we touched on this line, it is one of those moments in the play when we are forced to confront a rather unsavory side of an otherwise admirable character. How do we make sense of the justice / mercy that Portia comes to epitomize and this point of view?
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