ENGLISH LITERATURE INTERNALS

Merchant of Venice

Name: SK

Class & Section: X Jana

Date: 4th January, 2021.

QUESTION STATEMENT
Write an essay on the following characters. (Who were these men? Discuss the casket of their

choice and the reasoning that led them to make their respective choices. Elaborate the message

that awaited them in the casket they chose.)

1. Arragon

2. Morrocco

CHARACTER ANALYSIS
1. Prince of Morocco

The Prince of Morocco’s overconfident, egotistic and self-obsessed nature led to his

ultimate fall in which not only did he lose his power and glory, but also his chance of

wooing any other woman for marriage.

He is introduced as one of the suitors who seek Portia’s hand in marriage by hoping to

win the lottery of the caskets. He tries to win Portia’s attraction towards him by boasting

about his bravery, charm and valour. He asks them to bring the fairest person from the

North in order to make an incision in their veins and compare to see whose blood is

redder. This is an allusion referring to the old belief that the most courageous man had

the reddest blood while a coward had a pale coloured blood.

At the same time, he is also nervous as he believes that it is simply luck that decides his

fate. He refers to the Greek allusion when the mighty Hercules lost in a game of dice to

his servant Lichas, who poisoned Hercules in order to win. Hence, he says that it is only

‘blind Fortune’ that leads him where he may lose something which an unworthy man may

attain. This is another allusion referring to goddess Fortune depicted as blindfolded, as a

symbol of what she showed and gave mankind.

He goes ahead to make his choice of the three caskets in which he hopes to find the one

containing Portia’s portrait. Firstly, he says that the lead casket is not worth hazarding

everything and quickly disregards it.

He dismisses the silver casket as well, fearing that although he is qualified in all terms, he

may not deserve Portia due to her unmatched reputation and hence feels that silver is not

grand enough for her.

Finally, he settles on the gold casket as he feels that everyone desires Portia, like a holy

saint with pilgrims all over the world paying respects to her shrine. Referring to the

Greek allusion of the Golden Fleece, he compares Portia to one who is searched by

‘Jason’s from far and wide”. As one of the caskets contain Portia’s portrait, he believes

that it is definitely not lead as a rich gem like her could only be set in a precious metal

like gold. Hence, he chooses the gold casket without hesitation and unlocks it.

But instead, it reveals a skull with a scroll implanted in one of the eye sockets which

reads, ‘All that glitters is not gold’ and you may have often heard that. Many have risked

their lives by getting deceived by appearances, but even gold plated tombs have no value

as only worms infest on the dead bodies. If you had been a little more careful, young in

looks and wise in thoughts, this would have not been your answer. Therefore, farewell,

your hopes are gone.

On reading the message, Morocco immediately leaves the place with a heavy heart. Thus

the scene ends with two caskets left to reveal the right choice.

2. Prince of Arragon
The Prince of Arragon is an arrogant nobleman who is introduced as the next suitor

seeking Portia’s hand in marriage by hoping to win the lottery of the caskets. He has an

overconfident and snobbish personality although unlike Morocco, he did not try to attract

Portia by boasting about his bravery and valour.

After taking his oath, Arragon proceeds to make his choice of caskets. He makes the

same judgemental mistake as Morocco as he dismisses the lead casket simply by its

unattractive looks, unwilling to risk everything for it.

He does not pick the golden casket either as he does not want to be ranked equal with

such ‘barbarous multitudes’ or fools who simply trust things by judging their looks

without looking at its greater meaning. He uses a metaphor by comparing it to the martlet

which builds its nest on the outer wall instead of a shelter, making it prone to danger and

disasters.

Finally, he turns to the silver casket and feels that it is the best choice among the three.

He says that if the estates, degrees and offices that various people held were not earned

corruptly, they would be merits for the ‘wearer’ (holder) of the titles. This is an allusion

referring to the custom according to which members of different ranks wore distinctive

robes. If people were chosen based on their merits, people who considered themselves as

superior and wore hats would now have remove them and show respect to the
meritorious, like the old practice of lower class people removing their hats in the

presence of the upper class nobility to show respect.

If honour and distinction were given to people by merit, many worthless and narrow-

minded people could be picked out from the ‘noble high ranks of life’ while many men of

true worth and merit would be recovered and restored to their true dignity and glory.

Using a metaphor, he compares the same to the act of collecting the grains left after the

crops are harvested. Hence, he claims himself to deserve Portia and opens the silver

casket.

The silver casket reveals the portrait of a blinking idiot holding a scroll which reads, a

mind which never makes an error in judgement has to be tested seven times, as how

silver is refined seven times in fire. Some fools like you find happiness in shadows and

unreality and hide their foolishness with their grey hair, pretending to be old and wise.

Therefore, I will be your head from now on since your chance is over.

Depressed on his misery, Arragon too leaves the place with a heavy heart by saying that

he shall appear to be a bigger fool if he stays any longer, as he arrived to woo Portia with

one fools head while he leaves with two fool heads.