Skip to main content

In Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice, what do the choices of caskets made by the Prince of Morocco and the Prince of Arragon show about their...

The prince of Morocco chooses the golden casket because he believes that the caskets reflect Portia's physical beauty. He also believes that picking the lead casket is too risky and thinks that he is too esteemed to waste his time with a casket of such low value. The prince of Morocco does not appreciate Portia's inner beauty more than he does her physical beauty.In contrast, Portia is a magnanimous individual who is more concerned...

The prince of Morocco chooses the golden casket because he believes that the caskets reflect Portia's physical beauty. He also believes that picking the lead casket is too risky and thinks that he is too esteemed to waste his time with a casket of such low value. The prince of Morocco does not appreciate Portia's inner beauty more than he does her physical beauty. In contrast, Portia is a magnanimous individual who is more concerned with inherent goodness than she is with outward appearance, which makes him an unsuitable candidate.


The prince of Arragon rejects the golden casket because he believes that he does not share the desires of the "barbarous multitudes." He chooses the silver casket because he believes that he deserves Portia and is worthy of her love. The prince of Arragon is an arrogant fool who does not deserve to marry Portia. Unlike the prince, Portia is not concerned with social status or merit. She deserves a person who is willing to risk everything they have and selflessly cares about others. The prince of Arragon is selfish and conceited, which is reflected in his choice of casket. His personality and decision makes him unfit to marry Portia. 

Popular posts from this blog

In chapter one of The Great Gatsby, what advice does Nick's father give him? How does this make him a good person to tell this story?

Nick says that his father advised him that, before "criticizing anyone," he "remember that all the people in this world haven't had the same advantages" as Nick.  As a result, Nick claims that he is "inclined to reserve all judgments," presenting himself to the reader as a fair and dispassionate arbiter of character, and thus, a reliable narrator.   The problem is that Nick immediately reveals himself as anything but reliable, as he then launches... Nick says that his father advised him that, before "criticizing anyone," he "remember that all the people in this world haven't had the same advantages" as Nick.  As a result, Nick claims that he is "inclined to reserve all judgments," presenting himself to the reader as a fair and dispassionate arbiter of character, and thus, a reliable narrator.   The problem is that Nick immediately reveals himself as anything but reliable, as he then launches into a discussion of how pe...
Post a Comment
Read more

How and why does James Gatz become Jay Gatsby? Describe the young Gatsby/Gatz.

James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune,... James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune, whereas they arose from well-to-do families. Gatz became Gatsby through determination and discipline. At the end of the novel, the narr...
Post a Comment
Read more

Explain and discuss how the definitions of freedom change for the nation, for the freedmen and for southern whites after the Civil War.

After the Civil War, the definition of freedom changed in the nation, as slavery was ended with the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in 1865. The practice of slavery was disallowed, but definition of the freedom that would take its place was a subject of controversy, ongoing debate, and even violence in the decades to come.  For freedmen, freedom often meant reconciling with their families, who were broken up by slavery; choosing which church to... After the Civil War, the definition of freedom changed in the nation, as slavery was ended with the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in 1865. The practice of slavery was disallowed, but definition of the freedom that would take its place was a subject of controversy, ongoing debate, and even violence in the decades to come.  For freedmen, freedom often meant reconciling with their families, who were broken up by slavery; choosing which church to belong to without being ordered to attend religious services (or not to attend) by their mast...
Post a Comment
Read more