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Question
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Portia: To these injunctions every one doth s'vear
That comes to hazard for my worthless self.
Arragon: And so have I address'd me. Fortune now
To my heart's hope! - Gold, silver and base lead.
(i) Who had tried his luck in trying to choose the correct casket before the prince of Arragon? Which casket had that suitor chosen ? What did he find inside the casket?
(ii) What are the three things Arragon was obliged by the oath to obey?
(iii) What was the inscription on the golden casket? How do the actions of the martlet illustrate this inscription?
(iv) Which casket does Arragon finally choose? Whose portrait does he find inside? Which casket actually contains Portia's portrait?
(v) Who enters soon after? What does he say about the young Venetian who has just arrived? What gifts has the Venetian brought with him?
Solution
(i) The Prince of Morocco tried his luck in choosing the golden casket before the Prince of Arragon.
He finds an empty human skull with a scroll in its hollow eye in which it is written that those who are attracted by the glittering outside of things are always deceived.
(ii) He promises Portia that he will abide by her father's rules, that He must never tell anyone which casket he had chosen. If he fails to choose the right casket, He will never court another woman; and he will leave Belmont immediately.
(iii) The inscription on the golden casket was, "Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire". The martlet is like the many men who choose by outward show or appearance; they do not see the inner worth of things.
(iv) Arragon chooses the Silver Casket. He finds the portrait of .a blinking idiot - a picture of a fool's head. The lead casket contains Portia's portrait.
(v) After the departure of the Prince of Arragon, the servant announces that a young Venetian named Gratiana has arrived in order to announce the approach of his master Bassanio who has sent warm greetings and rich presents ·to Portia
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