what is the significance of the casket scene in merchant of Venice in about 300 words
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Answer:
In 'The Merchant of Venice' written by William Shakespeare there are three caskets: of Gold, Silver and Lead. Introducing them the caskets play a powerful dramatic significance to the play as it helps justify the mindset of her suitors which come 'from the four corners of the earth.
If the suitor chooses the correct casket, he wins Portia's hand. The gold casket is a symbol of greed and of materialistic and shallow people who value surface over substance. Silver, while still precious, is not quite as luxurious as gold. The silver casket symbolizes a more cautious greed.
The casket scene is an important scene because of the role it plays in throwing light on Portia and Bassanio's characters,
bringing Bassanio and Portia together and so getting Portia involved in the plot, and adding tension to the plot by putting Bassanio in a difficult situation.
- Sets a moral benchmark- The inscription on each casket serves to give a moral message. The suitors who have flaws in their characters, like arrogance or conceit, fail the test. Consequently, Bassanio passes the test. Later during the scene, Bassanio honestly tells Portia about his real worth and admits to having taken a loan from Antonio. Here again the moral compass is set right.
- Throws light on Portia and Bassanio's characters- The casket scene gives us an insight into the characters of each of the suitors, including Bassanio. He seems to be truly in love with Portia, while Portia comes across as a principled and understanding lady (since she strictly follows her father's instructions).
- Bringing Bassanio and Portia together- It is only because Portia marries Bassanio that she gets to know of Antonio being in trouble and goes to Venice as a lawyer. Without Portia, Antonio would certainly have lost his life to Shylock's plan.
- Adding tension to the plot- It is in this very scene that Bassanio gets a letter from Antonio, informing him of Antonio having forfeited the bond. Bassanio is anxious to save his friend. By putting Bassanio in a difficult situation, Shakespeare adds tension to the plot.
The casket scene therefore is a scene of great significance.
(Please write your answer in paragraphs, and not in bullet points.)
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