Zoraida is a tragedy by British writer William Hodson based on the conquest of Egypt by Ottoman ruler Selim I (1779).

[2] Scene 1: Zoraida, a female orphan at the court of Egypt, talks to her friend Zulima (daughter of Moralmin, the Governor of Cairo for Almaimon and who grew up with Zoraida) about her worries regarding her parents' past against the rule of Ottoman Emperor Selim the First.

Scene 2: Moralmin talks to Zoraida is eager to share his rosy expectations for Almaimon reclaiming Egypt.

Scene 6: At the castle, despite Zulima's persuasions, Zoraida has a pessimistic view of the battle and tries to give up, but changes her mind after realizing she does not wish to become a captive.

Selim tries to steal her heart, which, unbeknownst to him, is what Osman intends to distract Sultan from noticing his plans.