Portia and Nerissa in The Merchant of Venice????

Question

I am reading The Merchant of Venice right now. In Act 1, Part 2, what are Portia and Nerissa trying to say/get to? What is the point of thier LONG drawn conversation?????
Please explain this in 1-200 words, because i am ALREADY confused and don't need the extra "stuff." JUST THE BASIC AND GENERAL POINTS!!!
thanks

Answer 1

This is a very important scene as it sets up so much of the plot and Portia's character. Alright, the main, basic stuff:

Portia has a long line of noble dudes who are trying to marry her. Her father set it up in his will that any suitor Portia deems worthy has to choose from among three chests: one made of gold, one silver, and one lead. The suitor has to choose correctly in order to marry her. Not even Portia knows what the right one is. The answer is revealed when they open the chest.

The scene opens with Portia and her servingwoman entering into a philosohical conversation, and a good one. We can see that they both have a head on their shoulders. Go slowly through that bit and you'll get it. "Superfluity" means having too much of something.

As the scene unfolds Portia further demonstrates a wit and charm as she details the qualities of her various suitors. We learn that she didn't care for any of them except one. That Bassanio guy she kinda liked.

That's the point of the conversation. Hope that helped.

Answer 2

They are talking about the suitors. Nerissa has claimed that Portia's father was virtuous in devising the lottery. Whoever wins Portia "chooses his meaning." Portia challenges Nerissa to name the suitors and she'd describe them "according to my description, level at my affection."
Nerissa mentions them and Portia gives her description of each eg Prince of Naples, County Palatine, the young German, Scottish Lord etc. It is clear she does not think highly of them.