Sunday, April 14, 2013

Why does the Prince of Arragon choose the silver casket?

The Prince of Arragon is the second suitor to come try for Portia's hand (the second one we see in the play, anyway), in Act 2, Scene 9. Like the Prince of Morocco, the Prince of Arragon reasons his way through the caskets. The lead is too plain, he suspects, and the gold too ostentatious; the "many" people who value appearances over reality would choose it but would be mistaken to do so.


In considering the silver casket, Arragon considers carefully, reflecting that many who are rich and powerful do not deserve to be so, while many who are poor and weak deserve more wealth and power than they can claim. After much reflection, Arragon decides he does, in fact, deserve Portia, saying:



"'Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves.'
I will assume desert. Give me a key for this,
And instantly unlock my fortunes here" (2.9.48-50).



Unfortunately, he unlocks a puppet instead, informing him that he has chosen incorrectly.

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