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What about Your Boxes?
Three Morals of The Merchant of Venice
As a child, I was fascinated by the Shekperian theater especially, the Merchant of Venice, and mainly the act in which the prince of Morocco, the prince of Aragon, and the noble Bassanio arrived at Portia’s palace. Each of these men had a burning desire to win the heart of Portia, the gorgeous lady. As per her father’s will, the one who wins her heart of her must choose the right box ( A picture of Portia was hidden inside)between three gold, silver, and lead caskets (I do not still know after more than 37 years of books and reading why most anecdotes have three sisters, brothers or boxes).
There was an inscription on each box. One box was labeled “The person choosing it must give and risk everything he has.”. The dialogue in act 2 scene 7 still sticks in my mind. It was between Portia and Bassanio, the nobleman who chose the right box (the lead box)and accordingly her heart.
The first and foremost moral is not to judge things by their appearance. Obviously, this requires maturity and looking beyond the surface. After reaching…
