January 18th, 2012- Choices Expose

Throughout the last few scenes of Act II, Portia’s suitors attempt to win the chance to marry Portia and therefore come to select the right casket. Interestingly enough, when they are presented with the caskets, Shakespeare divulges their train of thought which ultimately also reveals their characteristics. For example, the Prince of Morocco is the first suitor who attempts to win  the opportunity to marry Portia. When he first examines the lead casket, he does not believe that a man should risk everything for lead, so he proclaims, “A golden mind stoops not to shows of dross” (Shakespeare II.vii.20). He considers his mind to be “golden,” and therefore reveals that he regards himself highly. His tone connotes that he is pompous, which is further emphasized when he says he will not stoop to “dross,” or rubbish. He believes he is too valuable to stoop to the level that lead represents, which drives him to ultimately pick the golden casket; however, the golden casket does not contain Portia’s picture. The Prince’s inclination to select the golden casket further discloses how materialistic he is, and therefore, how undeserving he is of being Portia’s husband.