The Merchant of Venice Group

Question:

lyngoh
lyngoh
Student
High School - 10th Grade

Which casket did the Prince of Morocco choose and why?

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Posted by lyngoh on Friday June 26, 2009 at 4:39 AM and tagged with golden casket, merchant of venice, portia, prince of morroco.

Answers:

  1. lit24
    lit24 Teacher
    Doctorate

    eNotes Editor

    In Act II Sc.7 the stage direction, "He unlocks the golden casket" clearly indicates to the readers that the Prince of Morroco chooses the golden casket.

    The Prince is deceived by the external appearance of the golden casket and the inscription,

    "Let's see once more this saying graved in gold
    'Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire.'
    Why, that's the lady; all the world desires her"

    and he makes the wrong choice.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/merchant-of-venice/character-analysis
    http://www.enotes.com/merchant-of-venice/criticism
    http://www.enotes.com/merchant-of-venice/essays

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    Posted by lit24 on Friday June 26, 2009 at 6:42 AM

  2. bookworm2009
    bookworm2009 Student
    High School - 9th Grade

    The Prince of Morocco chose the golden casket as he chose based on appearence itself. this shows that he choses by appearence and at the end of this scene, the quote "All that glitters is not gold, all that...." tells us that the prince of Morocco learns his lesson and a makes a "gentle riddance" -- leaves like a gentleman.

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    Posted by bookworm2009 on Tuesday August 18, 2009 at 5:19 AM