act 2, 7

The Prince of Moroco thinks superficially. He believes that gold is precious so obviously the key to Portia's heard lies in the gold casket. He is sure of his reasoning. The Prince looks over all the inscriptions a second time, and decides that lead is too threatening and not worth risking anything for. He also spurns the silver, which he feels is too base a metal to hold such a beautiful woman as Portia. The Prince therefore chooses gold. Portia hands him the key, and he opens the casket to reveal a golden skull. The skull holds a written scroll that poetically indicates that he chose superficially.