What did the 3 caskets in The Merchant of Venice mean?

Answer 1

In The Merchant of Venice there was a casket of gold, one of silver, and one of lead.

The casket of gold (chosen by the Moroccan prince) contained a skull with a scroll in it that read: "All that glisters is not gold;

Often have you heard that told.

Many a man his life hath sold

But my outside to behold,

Gilded tombs do worms enfold.

Had you been as wise as bold,

Young in limbs, in judgment old,

Your answer had not been inscroll'd:

Fare you well; your suit is cold."

This gold casket's skull and scroll represents simply the cliched moral that one should not judge "a book by its cover", for inside the gold it could very well be a gross skull that belongs in the tomb.

In the casket of silver (chosen by the prince of Arragon) there was the smiling face of an idiot with a scroll that read:

"The fire seven times tried this:

Seven times tried that judgment is,

That did never choose amiss.

Some there be that shadows kiss;

Such have but a shadow's bliss:

There be fools alive, I wis,

Silver'd o'er; and so was this.

Take what wife you will to bed,

I will ever be your head:

So be gone: you are sped."

In the casket of lead (chosen by Bassanio) there was a portrait of Portia with a scroll that read:

You that choose not by the view,

Chance as fair and choose as true!

Since this fortune falls to you,

Be content and seek no new,

If you be well pleased with this

And hold your fortune for your bliss,

Turn you where your lady is

And claim her with a loving kiss.

This is the same moral lesson throughout. That "all that glitters is not gold", and thus Bassanio chose correctly.

Answer 2

Give me one reason for each of the following suitor choice of casket.

a) The Prince of Morocco

b) The Prince of Arrogant

c) Bassanio

Answer 3

Each of the three caskets symbolises each of Portia's suitors.

Answer 4

Only the suitor who knows Portia's true worth will choose the casket that corresponds to her marriage contract. (He would also have to be a little clever.)