The Dramatic Significance Of The Caskets in The Merchant of Venice Anonymous 10th Grade

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. They come to kiss this shrine, this mortal breathing saint. Each casket is known for introducing a moral lesson to the one who opens it, interestingly each of the caskets have a message held externally and internally to support their lesson.

In Act Two Scene Seven the Prince of Morocco arrives to have a try at his luck at achieving Portia as a wife. The Prince deliberated to himself what casket to choose. Having glanced at the Golden Casket he read that it promises, "Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire." Thinking to himself that lead be to uncharacteristic for the fair Portia ('Is’t like that lead contains her? 'Twere damnation to think so base a thought. It were too gross to rib her cerecloth in the obscure grave.') and that silver does not compete with gold in terms of value ('Or shall I think in silver she’s immured, being ten times undervalued to tried gold?') he chose the Golden Casket. This event is made to be so dramatic as it...