Distinguish between Prince of Morocco and Prince of Arragon from the Merchant of Venice.
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From what we see of the Prince of Morocco’s inner debate over the correct casket, we see that he values appearance. As he sees the casket with lead, before he even reads the inscription aloud, he first calls it “dull lead.” This signifies that Morocco has some preconceived judgment about what is inside the casket, due to its lead exterior. As he debates with himself over which casket to choose, he says that many Princes come to “view fair Portia” and to “see fair Portia.” Shakespeare parallels the phrase “fair Portia” to emphasize those two phrases, which show that the Prince’s desire is to see Portia, rather than to know or build a connection with her. However, to contrast this the Prince of Morocco also suggests that he values love in marriage. He says that he believes that a he is a man who deserves her because of his social status, wealth, graces, and “qualities of breeding.” However, he mentions in the next line that “more than these, in love I do deserve” Portia. This shows that the Prince does indeed value love in marriage. So perhaps through these values, Shakespeare suggests that the Prince of Morocco values love, but his concept of love is based on appearance. This is one possible interpretation out of many, of what the prince values.
The Prince of Arragon very obviously values honor and merit in principle, but is also very arrogant and blind to the privileges he receives. It may be a coincidence, but Arragon’s name shares the same three letters as Arrogant, which is perhaps Shakespeare’s way of hinting at his character. When he reads the gold inscription, he calls the people who choose the gold casket “fool multitudes that choose by show” and implies that he is better than them, because he “will not jump with common spirits.” Through this, he implies that he is better than the “multitudes” and the “common spirits” who choose the gold casket, as he calls their actions foolish. Another example of his arrogance appears when he believes he has deserved all of the privileges he has in life. He says that nobody will “go about / To cozen fortune and be honorable / Without the stamp of merit.” This not only shows his arrogance but also his naivety, because he seems to truly believe that he deserves, or has the “stamp of merit” to all of the fortune and honor that surrounds him. This is obviously ironic because in that time, royalty was determined by blood, not by merit or honor.
The Prince of Arragon very obviously values honor and merit in principle, but is also very arrogant and blind to the privileges he receives. It may be a coincidence, but Arragon’s name shares the same three letters as Arrogant, which is perhaps Shakespeare’s way of hinting at his character. When he reads the gold inscription, he calls the people who choose the gold casket “fool multitudes that choose by show” and implies that he is better than them, because he “will not jump with common spirits.” Through this, he implies that he is better than the “multitudes” and the “common spirits” who choose the gold casket, as he calls their actions foolish. Another example of his arrogance appears when he believes he has deserved all of the privileges he has in life. He says that nobody will “go about / To cozen fortune and be honorable / Without the stamp of merit.” This not only shows his arrogance but also his naivety, because he seems to truly believe that he deserves, or has the “stamp of merit” to all of the fortune and honor that surrounds him. This is obviously ironic because in that time, royalty was determined by blood, not by merit or honor.
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I think this is also the answer
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