E - MOV TRIPTYCH-1 / Uploaded File

Tenley Spataro
June 9, 2014
Period G, Mr.Guzman
MOV TRIPTYCH
GOLD CASKET. SILVER CASKET. LEAD CASKET.
Act 2 Scene 7
Inside the gold casket contains a skull with a message that tells the suitor
appearances are often deceiving. The Prince of Morroco is deceived by the
external appearance of the casket and associates it with wealth. Certain that
the casket reflects Portia’s beauty and stature, the prince of Morocco picks
the gold chest, which proves to be incorrect. In reality, gold is ultimately of
little value and human desire can be dangerous. A skeleton represents death
while many will want the dead body if it is embellished in gold. They will
throw aside the useless item and rejoice because they are rich, which truly
shows their useless personality. If all the money in the world vanished,
those who never bothered to work a day in their life would surely perish.
The silver casket contains a picture of an "idiot" with a note that tells the
suitor he is a fool who gets what he deserves. The prince of Araggon thought
of himself as superior to others and also attempts to win Portia’s hand, but
he chooses unwisely. Both princes only considered the exterior appearance
of the casket to be important and they left humiliated when they discovered
what their casket contained. The one who chose silver deserved very little
while those who are worthy of good things, will get them. All the ordinary
superficial things that most humans want are eventually lost in the end. A
joker bears the figure of a jester, who isn't the only fool in Venice.
The second, silver, which this
promise carries,
'Who chooseth me shall get as
much as he deserves;'
The first, of gold, who this
inscription bears,
'Who chooseth me shall gain
what many men desire;'
The lead chest symbolizes inner beauty and modesty and contains a picture
of Portia. Marriage is a big risk and requires a lot of sacrifice, which is why
the inscription on the casket gives a warning. Bassanio’s love for Portia leads
him to borrow money from Shylock and he proves himself to be a worthy
suitor. He is not fooled by the outward appearances of the gold and silver
caskets, but believes that true worth lies inside. Lead is a heavy, inelastic
metal, having a bright, bluish color, but is easily tarnished. However, even a
picture cannot compare to the lovely Portia and Bassonio truly received what
he deserved.
This third, dull lead, with
warning all as blunt,
'Who chooseth me must give
and hazard all he hath.'
Pictures
- Gold Casket - A skeleton from the game Skeleton Promotion Party
- Silver Casket - The Joker from a deck of cards
- Lead Casket - Elodie from A Tale of Two Castes by Gail Carson Levine.
Prince of Morocco

Download Report