Quick, quick, I pray thee, draw the curtain straight.
The Prince of Arragon hath ta’en his oath,
And comes to his election presently.
Quick, quick, I pray you, draw the curtain straight. The Prince of Arragon has ta’en his oath, And comes to his election presently.
Quick, quick, I pray you, draw the curtain straight. The Prince of Arragon has ta’en his oath, And comes to his election presently.
Quick, quick, I pray you, draw the curtain straight The Prince of Arragon has ta’en his oath, And comes to his election presently
Behold, there stand the caskets, noble Prince,
If you choose that wherein I am contain’d,
Straight shall our nuptial rites be solemniz’d.
But if you fail, without more speech, my lord,
You must be gone from hence immediately.
Behold, there stand the caskets, noble Prince, If you choose that wherein I am contain’d, Straight shall our nuptial rites be solemniz’d. But if you fail, without more speech, my lord, You must be gone from hence immediately.
Behold, there stand the caskets, noble Prince, If you choose that wherein I am contain’d, Straight shall our nuptial rites be solemniz’d. But if you fail, without more speech, my lord, You must be gone from hence immediately.
Behold, there stand the caskets, noble Prince, If you choose that wherein I am contain’d, Straight shall our nuptial rites be solemniz’d But if you fail, without more speech, my lord, You must be gone from hence immediately
I am enjoin’d by oath to observe three things:
First, never to unfold to anyone
Which casket ’twas I chose; next, if I fail
Of the right casket, never in my life
To woo a maid in way of marriage;
Lastly,
If I do fail in fortune of my choice,
Immediately to leave you and be gone.
I am enjoin’d by oath to observe three things: First, never to unfold to anyone Which casket ’twas I chose; next, if I fail Of the right casket, never in my life To woo a maid in way of marriage; Lastly, If I do fail in fortune of my choice, Immediately to leave you and be gone.
I am enjoin’d by oath to observe three things: First, never to unfold to anyone Which casket ’twas I chose; next, if I fail Of the right casket, never in my life To woo a maid in way of marriage; Lastly, If I do fail in fortune of my choice, Immediately to leave you and be gone.
I am enjoin’d by oath to observe three things: First, never to unfold to anyone Which casket ’twas I chose; next, if I fail Of the right casket, never in my life To woo a maid in way of marriage; Lastly, If I do fail in fortune of my choice, Immediately to leave you and be gone
To these injunctions everyone doth swear
That comes to hazard for my worthless self.
To these injunctions everyone does swear That comes to hazard for my worthless self.
To these injunctions everyone does swear That comes to hazard for my worthless self.
To these injunctions everyone does swear That comes to hazard for my worthless self
And so have I address’d me. Fortune now
To my heart’s hope! Gold, silver, and base lead.
“Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath.”
You shall look fairer ere I give or hazard.
What says the golden chest? Ha! let me see:
“Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire.”
What many men desire! that “many” may be meant
By the fool multitude, that choose by show,
Not learning more than the fond eye doth teach,
Which pries not to th’ interior, but like the martlet
Builds in the weather on the outward wall,
Even in the force and road of casualty.
I will not choose what many men desire,
Because I will not jump with common spirits
And rank me with the barbarous multitudes.
Why, then to thee, thou silver treasure-house,
Tell me once more what title thou dost bear.
“Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves.”
And well said too; for who shall go about
To cozen fortune, and be honourable
Without the stamp of merit? Let none presume
To wear an undeserved dignity.
O that estates, degrees, and offices
Were not deriv’d corruptly, and that clear honour
Were purchas’d by the merit of the wearer!
How many then should cover that stand bare?
How many be commanded that command?
How much low peasantry would then be gleaned
From the true seed of honour? And how much honour
Pick’d from the chaff and ruin of the times,
To be new varnish’d? Well, but to my choice.
“Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves.”
I will assume desert. Give me a key for this,
And instantly unlock my fortunes here.
And so have I address’d me. Fortune now To my heart’s hope! Gold, silver, and base lead. “Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he has.” You shall look fairer before I give or hazard. What says the golden chest? Ha! let me see: “Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire.” What many men desire! that “many” may be meant By the fool multitude, that choose by show, Not learning more than the fond I does teach, Which pries not to th’ interior, but like the martlet Builds in the weather on the outward wall, Even in the force and road of casualty. I will not choose what many men desire, Because I will not jump with common spirits And rank me with the barbarous multitudes. Why, then to you, you silver treasure-house, Tell me once more what title you do bear. “Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves.” And well said too; for who shall go about To cozen fortune, and be honourable Without the stamp of merit? Let none presume To wear an undeserved dignity. O that estates, degrees, and offices Were not deriv’d corruptly, and that clear honour Were purchas’d by the merit of the wearer! How many then should cover that stand bare? How many be commanded that command? How much low peasantry would then be gleaned From the true seed of honour? And how much honour Pick’d from the chaff and ruin of the times, To be new varnish’d? Well, but to my choice. “Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves.” I will assume desert. Give me a key for this, And instantly unlock my fortunes here.
And so have I address’d me. Fortune now To my heart’s hope! Gold, silver, and base lead. “Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he has.” You shall look fairer before I give or hazard. What says the golden chest? Ha! let me see: “Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire.” What many men desire! that “many” may be meant By the fool multitude, that choose by show, Not learning more than the fond I does teach, Which pries not to th’ interior, but like the martlet Builds in the weather on the outward wall, Even in the force and road of casualty. I will not choose what many men desire, Because I will not jump with common spirits And rank me with the barbarous multitudes. Why, then to you, you silver treasure-house, Tell me once more what title you do bear. “Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves.” And well said too; for who shall go about To cozen fortune, and be honourable Without the stamp of merit? Let none presume To wear an undeserved dignity. O that estates, degrees, and offices Were not deriv’d corruptly, and that clear honour Were purchas’d by the merit of the wearer! How many then should cover that stand bare? How many be commanded that command? How much low peasantry would then be gleaned From the true seed of honour? And how much honour Pick’d from the chaff and ruin of the times, To be new varnish’d? Well, but to my choice. “Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves.” I will assume desert. Give me a key for this, And instantly unlock my fortunes here.
And so have I address’d me Fortune now To my heart’s hope Gold, silver, and base lead “Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he has ” You shall look fairer before I give or hazard What says the golden chest
The three suitor scenes form a triptych, each demonstrating a different kind of wrong thinking. Morocco chooses by appetite — gold is beautiful, Portia is beautiful, gold must contain her. Arragon chooses by self-regard — silver promises what he deserves, and he considers himself worthy. Both errors are versions of the same mistake: using the caskets as mirrors for the self rather than as tests of the self. The lead casket requires the chooser to give and hazard all — to approach love not as something owed or earned but as something risked. Bassanio (in 3-2) passes not because he's smarter but because he already understands that ornament lies, and he distrusts his own impulse toward the beautiful surface.
Too long a pause for that which you find there.
Too long a pause for that which you find there.
Too long a pause for that which you find there.
Too long a pause for that which you find there
What’s here? The portrait of a blinking idiot
Presenting me a schedule! I will read it.
How much unlike art thou to Portia!
How much unlike my hopes and my deservings!
“Who chooseth me shall have as much as he deserves.”
Did I deserve no more than a fool’s head?
Is that my prize? Are my deserts no better?
What’s here? The portrait of a blinking idiot Presenting me a schedule! I will read it. How much unlike are you to Portia! How much unlike my hopes and my deservings! “Who chooseth me shall have as much as he deserves.” Did I deserve no more than a fool’s head? Is that my prize? Are my deserts no better?
What’s here? The portrait of a blinking idiot Presenting me a schedule! I will read it. How much unlike are you to Portia! How much unlike my hopes and my deservings! “Who chooseth me shall have as much as he deserves.” Did I deserve no more than a fool’s head? Is that my prize? Are my deserts no better?
What’s here The portrait of a blinking idiot Presenting me a schedule I will read it How much unlike are you to Portia How much unlike my hopes and my deservings “Who chooseth me shall have as much as he deserves
To offend and judge are distinct offices,
And of opposed natures.
To offend and judge are distinct offices, And of opposed natures.
To offend and judge are distinct offices, And of opposed natures.
To offend and judge are distinct offices, And of opposed natures
What is here?
_The fire seven times tried this;
Seven times tried that judgment is
That did never choose amiss.
Some there be that shadows kiss;
Such have but a shadow’s bliss.
There be fools alive, I wis,
Silver’d o’er, and so was this.
Take what wife you will to bed,
I will ever be your head:
So be gone; you are sped._
Still more fool I shall appear
By the time I linger here.
With one fool’s head I came to woo,
But I go away with two.
Sweet, adieu! I’ll keep my oath,
Patiently to bear my wroth.
What is here? Still more fool I shall appear By the time I linger here. With one fool’s head I came to woo, But I go away with two. Sweet, adieu! I’ll keep my oath, Patiently to bear my wroth.
What is here? Still more fool I shall appear By the time I linger here. With one fool’s head I came to woo, But I go away with two. Sweet, adieu! I’ll keep my oath, Patiently to bear my wroth.
What is here Still more fool I shall appear By the time I linger here With one fool’s head I came to woo, But I go away with two Sweet, adieu I’ll keep my oath, Patiently to bear my wroth
Thus hath the candle sing’d the moth.
O, these deliberate fools! When they do choose,
They have the wisdom by their wit to lose.
Thus has the candle sing’d the moth. O, these deliberate fools! When they do choose, They have the wisdom by their wit to lose.
Thus has the candle sing’d the moth. O, these deliberate fools! When they do choose, They have the wisdom by their wit to lose.
Thus has the candle sing’d the moth O, these deliberate fools When they do choose, They have the wisdom by their wit to lose
The ancient saying is no heresy:
Hanging and wiving goes by destiny.
The ancient saying is no heresy: Hanging and wiving goes by destiny.
The ancient saying is no heresy: Hanging and wiving goes by destiny.
The ancient saying is no heresy: Hanging and wiving goes by destiny
Arragon's complaint about undeserved titles — 'O that estates, degrees, and offices / Were not derived corruptly, and that clear honour / Were purchased by the merit of the wearer' — is not obviously wrong as social criticism. The Elizabethan court audience would have recognised it as a real tension in their own world: aristocratic birth versus earned distinction. But Shakespeare puts this speech in the mouth of a man who is about to be humiliated, which subtly implicates the speaker's motives. Arragon believes in merit — but his version of merit puts himself at the top. His meritocracy is self-serving. The fool's portrait in the silver casket is the play's verdict: the man who thinks he deserves the prize above all others has told you something important about himself.
Come, draw the curtain, Nerissa.
Come, draw the curtain, Nerissa.
Come, draw the curtain, Nerissa.
Come, draw the curtain, Nerissa
Where is my lady?
Where is my lady?
Where is my lady?
Where is my lady
Here. What would my lord?
Here. What would my lord?
Here. What would my lord?
Here What would my lord
Madam, there is alighted at your gate
A young Venetian, one that comes before
To signify th’ approaching of his lord,
From whom he bringeth sensible regreets;
To wit (besides commends and courteous breath)
Gifts of rich value; yet I have not seen
So likely an ambassador of love.
A day in April never came so sweet,
To show how costly summer was at hand,
As this fore-spurrer comes before his lord.
Madam, there is alighted at your gate A young Venetian, one that comes before To signify th’ approaching of his lord, From whom he bringeth sensible regreets; To wit (besides commends and courteous breath) Gifts of rich value; yet I have not seen So likely an ambassador of love. A day in April never came so sweet, To show how costly summer was at hand, As this fore-spurrer comes before his lord.
Madam, there is alighted at your gate A young Venetian, one that comes before To signify th’ approaching of his lord, From whom he bringeth sensible regreets; To wit (besides commends and courteous breath) Gifts of rich value; yet I have not seen So likely an ambassador of love. A day in April never came so sweet, To show how costly summer was at hand, As this fore-spurrer comes before his lord.
Madam, there is alighted at your gate A young Venetian, one that comes before To signify th’ approaching of his lord, From whom he bringeth sensible regreets; To wit (besides commends and courteous breath) Gifts of rich value; yet I have not seen So likely an ambassador of love A day in April never came so sweet, To show how costly summer was at hand, As this fore-spurrer comes before his lord
No more, I pray thee. I am half afeard
Thou wilt say anon he is some kin to thee,
Thou spend’st such high-day wit in praising him.
Come, come, Nerissa, for I long to see
Quick Cupid’s post that comes so mannerly.
No more, I pray you. I am half afeard you will say soon he is some kin to you, you spend’st such high-day wit in praising him. Come, come, Nerissa, for I long to see Quick Cupid’s post that comes so mannerly.
No more, I pray you. I am half afeard you will say soon he is some kin to you, you spend’st such high-day wit in praising him. Come, come, Nerissa, for I long to see Quick Cupid’s post that comes so mannerly.
No more, I pray you I am half afeard you will say soon he is some kin to you, you spend’st such high-day wit in praising him Come, come, Nerissa, for I long to see Quick Cupid’s post that comes so mannerly
Bassanio, Lord Love, if thy will it be!
Bassanio, Lord Love, if your will it be!
Bassanio, Lord Love, if your will it be!
Bassanio, Lord Love, if your will it be
The Reckoning
Where Morocco was undone by external appetite (choosing what the world values), Arragon is undone by internal arrogance (choosing what he thinks he deserves). His long speech about meritocracy is not stupid — he makes a genuinely interesting case about how titles should be earned rather than inherited. But the test catches him on the self-regard, not the principle. He thinks he deserves Portia: a fundamentally transactional view of love. The fool's portrait he finds is perfect justice. And then the scene pivots to anticipation: Bassanio is coming.
If this happened today…
A second contestant at the door — older, more polished than the last one, openly contemptuous of 'the crowd' and the popular choice. He picks the silver door because he thinks he deserves the prize. Inside: a mirror with 'FOOL' written on it, and a card that says: 'You got exactly what you deserved.' He tries to be dignified about it but can't resist going out with a little speech. Then the producers text the host: the real guy just arrived at the gate, and he's come with gifts.