Question

Why does Portia order music to be played while bassanio makes the choice of casket ?

Answer 1

To secretly tell him that lead casket has her portrait. And to tell outer appearances are fake and deceptive.

Answer 2

In Merchant of Venice, Portia tells her waiting woman Nerissa to play music as Bassanio chooses a casket which contains the portrait of Portia.

This was the condition set by Portia to see who understands her better.

The music playing is Portia’s way to celebrate the victory or the ‘death’ of Bassanio’s desire to marry her.

According to her, if he chooses the wrong casket, it will be like his swan song, referring to the haunting notes sung by a swan before it dies, and if he chooses the right casket then it will be his victory song.