Question

What's the meaning of the inscription written on the golden casket- "who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire." (Merchant of Venice)

Answer 1

This scene is scene 7 of Act II. It takes place when suitors from all over the world had come to win Portia's hand in marriage. They are supposed to choose one among the three caskets that are of gold, silver and lead. The suitor who chooses the casket with Portia's portrait in it will wed her.

• The inscription on the gold casket says, "Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire".
• The Prince of Morocco chooses the gold casket and ends up finding a scroll inside a skull's eye.
• The inscription meant that "All that glitters is not gold".
• Men often get enticed by the external appearances of objects rather than looking at the better aspects of it.
• They also get deceived by the outer experiences.
• Here, the Prince of Morocco is too over-confident to even understand the true meaning of the inscription.
• He considers himself worthy of Portia.
• Thus, one should not totally fall for the external appearances. However appealing they may be, they can be quite treacherous.
• One should look for better qualities than just a pretty face or look.

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