Merchant of Venice Act 2 Scene 9 Flashcards
What does the scroll inside the silver casket say?
This box was tested in the fire seven times.
The perfect judgement, that never makes a mistake, must be as refined as silver.
Some people embrace illusions, believing in what is not real.
They only feel the illusion of happiness.
There are fools out there
Covered in silver(so that their folly are hidden)
This choice was as foolish as they are.
Take whatever wife you want to bed with you,
You’ll have a fool’s head forever.
So go away. You’re done here.
How does the servant tease the next suitor’s arrival?
He says that a young Venetian has come to signify the approaching of his lord. He says that the Venetian has also brought gifts of great value, compliments and courteous words.
He concludes by comparing the arrival of this Venetian to the way a sweet spring day hints a rich summer. He says that there has never been an April day(referring to a suitor) as promising as this one.
What are the prince of Arragon’s reactions to losing?
He becomes speechless
After seeing what is kept inside the silver casket, the prince of Arragon says that the “blinking idiot” inside the silver casket is so unlike Portia and so unlike his hopes and his deservings. He questions whether he deserved nothing more than a fool’s head and whether his “deserts” are no better.
He says that the longer he stays in Portia’s house, the more he will appear as a fool. He says that he came with a fool’s head(referring to his own head) and now he will take another one back home(referring to the “blinking idiot” in the casket). He concludes by saying goodbye to Portia and he says that he will patiently suffer through his anger.
What are the rules for the casket plot?
- He cannot say which casket he chose to anyone.
- If he chooses the wrong casket, he cannot “woo a maid in the way of marriage”
- If he chooses the wrong casket, he must immediately leave and be gone.
Why doesn’t the prince of Arragon pick the gold casket?
He believes that the “many” people that the gold casket refers to could refer to people who choose things by show and do not look into the “interior”.
He compares people like this to the “martlet”, a bird which builds its nest in the open air on the wall outside a building.
He says that he will not choose what many men desires because he will not “jump with common spirits”
What speech does the prince of Arragon give when picking the silver casket?
He starts giving a speech regarding honour with relation to the people who hold important titles.
He questions who would cheat fortune and be honourable without a “stamp or merit”. He says that no one should have an “undeserved dignity”.
He says that, if offices, estates and degrees were not “deriv’d corruptly”, there wouldn’t be too many important people. Many people who “command” would be “commanded”, many nobleman would be weeded out and would become peasants and many common people would suddenly become nobles.
What does Portia compare her suitors to and how?
Portia compares her suitors to moth, saying that the men are attracted to the caskets similar to how moths are attracted to flames. In this scenario, the flame burns the moth(similar to how the caskets lead to the suitors not marrying Portia).
How does Portia respond to the next suitor’s arrival?
She requests the servant to not speak about the suitor. She says that she’s afraid that the servant is the suitor’s relative because the servant is giving such high praise to the suitor.
Why does Portia call herself “worthless”?
She calls herself worthless so that the prince of Arragon would go away and not try the casket plot.
Where does Act 2, Scene 9 take place?
Act 2, Scene 9 takes place in a room in Portia’s house in Belmont.
Why doesn’t the prince of Arragon pick the lead casket?
He says that Portia should look “fairer” for him to risk everything he has.
What is kept inside the silver casket?
A portrait of a “blinking idiot” and a scroll
Who is Portia’s next suitor?
Bassanio
