Skip to main content

In The Merchant Of Venice, did Portia help Bassanio in choosing the lead casket?

No, Portia could not have assisted Bassanio in any way. Before he goes to make his choice, she tells him, in part, at the beginning of Act 3, scene 2 (lines 10-14):


...I could teach youHow to choose right, but I am then forsworn;So will I never be: so may you miss me;But if you do, you'll make me wish a sin,That I had been forsworn.


She means that she could...

No, Portia could not have assisted Bassanio in any way. Before he goes to make his choice, she tells him, in part, at the beginning of Act 3, scene 2 (lines 10-14):



...I could teach you
How to choose right, but I am then forsworn;
So will I never be: so may you miss me;
But if you do, you'll make me wish a sin,
That I had been forsworn.



She means that she could give him a clue or tell him which casket to choose, but she would then be breaking an oath. It is a condition of her father's will that she may not provide any assistance to a suitor for she would then lose her inheritance. Portia says that she will not commit perjury (lie under oath). She also says that if Bassanio should choose the wrong casket, he would make her wish that she had helped him, which would be a sinful thought.


Some interpreters suggest that the introductory lines of the song being played just before Bassanio makes his choice, are supposed to give him a clue since the last word in each of the first two lines rhymes with 'lead':



SONG.
Tell me where is fancy bred,
Or in the heart, or in the head?



This, however, is highly unlikely firstly, for the reason mentioned above - there is just too much at stake for Portia: she will not only lose a fortune if such an indiscretion is reported but will also, as she would have believed, compromise the sanctity of her soul. She would be committing a sin since she had made a sacred vow to not help anyone to make the right choice.


Furthermore, the singers most probably only sing this ditty to add a pleasant mood to what must be a very tense atmosphere if one considers both Portia and Bassanio's wish that he should choose correctly. In addition, Bassanio is too preoccupied with his own thoughts to even listen to the lyrics. He would have no reason to look for extraneous clues anyway for Portia had told him that she would not provide any. 


Interestingly, though, Shakespeare might just have written the first lines to tease the audience and make them believe that Portia was just that bit dishonest. 


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is the meaning of "juggling fiends" in Macbeth?

Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a... Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a sense of guilt, and that man tells him: Despair thy charm. And let the angel whom thou still hast serve...
Post a Comment
Read more

In Martel's Life of Pi, how does writing a diary help Pi Patel build on his leadership skills?

At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can... At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can do this by writing down events, problems and solutions, and reflections to look back on when confronted with repeated problems. It can ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Why did Tybalt attack and kill Mercutio instead of Romeo, who he had originally been targeting?

Though Tybalt's quarrel is with Romeo, he begins the momentous duel in Act 3 by fighting with and killing Mercutio instead. Tybalt ultimately attacks Mercutio because the garrulous and hot-headed character insults Tybalt and goads him into a duel to protect Romeo's honor. From the beginning of the encounter in Act 3, Scene 1, it's clear that Mercutio is itching for a fight. For instance, when Tybalt signals that he wants to talk to Mercutio... Though Tybalt's quarrel is with Romeo, he begins the momentous duel in Act 3 by fighting with and killing Mercutio instead. Tybalt ultimately attacks Mercutio because the garrulous and hot-headed character insults Tybalt and goads him into a duel to protect Romeo's honor. From the beginning of the encounter in Act 3, Scene 1, it's clear that Mercutio is itching for a fight. For instance, when Tybalt signals that he wants to talk to Mercutio and Benvolio, Mercutio responds "And but one word with one of us?/ Couple it w...
Post a Comment
Read more