The Moroccan Prince examines the caskets
The scene shifts to Belmont where the Moroccan Prince is seen all set to choose one of the caskets. The first casket was gold with the inscription “Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire.” The second one was silver with the inscription “Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves.” The last one was lead with the inscription “Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath.” Portia informs him that in one of them lies her picture. If he chooses well, she will be his along with the picture.
Prince interprets the inscriptions in his own way
The prince again examines the three caskets and interprets the three caskets according to his own understanding. The lead casket talks about hazards and he is not ready to give or risk anything. The silver casket talks about deserving. The prince is not able to see if he is the right candidate deserving Portia. Then he goes to the golden one and thinks that it talks about Portia as all men came desiring her.
The prince chooses wrongly
The prince chooses the golden casket. It contains a skull in whose eye there is a scroll which read that all that glitters is not gold. Unfortunately, the prince has chosen unwisely. He is overcome with grief. But now he has to leave. Portia thanks her stars and hopes that others like him are also unlucky.
The Merchant of Venice Summary
Act 1 : Scene 1 , Scene 2 , Scene 3
Act 2 : Scene 1 , Scene 2 , Scene 3 , Scene 4 , Scene 5 , Scene 6 , Scene 7 , Scene 8 , Scene 9
Act 3 : Scene 1 , Scene 2 , Scene 3 , Scene 4 , Scene 5
Act 5 : Scene 1