Why did Bassanio reject the gold casket ?
People are deceived or tricked easily influenced by the outward attract appearance of
things Bassanio went on to explain how this attractive outward appearance of things are
in use or exists in the real world by men or people to trick and deceive others. He went
on to say that this cunning scheme of outward attractive appearance is used for
example within the limits of law the most rotten, bad and dishonest case is pleaded in a
fine and impressive voice before the judge. The presentation is made so well with a
calm and impressive voice (manner) that is succeeds to deceive the judge to see the
truth and hides the evil of it. The judge passes the verdict in favour of the wicked
instead of the innocent.
In the case of religion the outward attractive appearance is used as a tool of deception
to prove a dreadful sin as sanctified and pure act of goodness. In the case of religion a
dreadful sin which deserves to be condemned and the person who appears to be pious
or holy who commits such a dreadful evil act be sent hell for it. The evil character of it is
concealed ,the act is approved to be as pure and it is sanctified by the pious looking
man who quotes from the religious scriptures (or the holy texts –
Bassanio went on to say next that there is no vice which is so very simple. They always
appear to be simple but they are not. Every vice or sinful act or evil always
uses a cover of virtue on the outside to appear virtuous and hide its impurity.
Bassanio went on to further explain that there are many cowards whose hearts are as
weak as a staircase made of sand. Just as a staircase made if sand would not be able
to withstand and weight and would collapse under it similarly the weak hearts of
cowards would collapse under the weight of truth. They appear to look brave or appear
to be brave by growing a beard on their chins just as Hercules (the Greek hero- one
who was considered as the strongest man in his time) and Mars the Roman God of war(
who was ever ready to fight and face battles) had on their chins.
But when their character and grit is tested they are proved to be cowards with livers as
white as milk. The liver was considered to be the seat of courage in men during the
Elizabethan Period. A man who was courageous was believed to have a liver which was
red blood- shot and a coward’s liver was as white as milk. The cowards would put on
this disguise (as an outward sigh of courage) growing a beard on their chins (a sign of
being courageous) so that they are courage would not be doubted and they would
appear to brave, formidable, a force to reckon with and as men with courage.
Bassanio went to give another example of outward attractive appearance used as a tool
of deception to trick people. He said in the case of beautification and fashion cosmetics
could be purchased in weight (and when applied by the lady or person desiring to
appear beautiful takes effect or works its effect immediately and instantly helping the
person appear look beautiful. So beauty could be bought from the market
in terms of weight. It makes them lighter in weight and lighter in
character.
Bassanio next said that it was the same with women who appeared to look beautiful
with curly,winding like snakes and golden in colour attractive hair which fall on their
foreheads when the breeze blows touching or caressing them. They fall on their
foreheads moving in a lively manner in the breeze helping the face or the person who
desires to appear look beautiful look fair and attractiveBut the factis that she is not the
actual owner of the beautiful, curly, snaky golden hair. It is passed on to her from the
head of a woman who is already dead and buried in the sepulchre .
Bassanio said next that in the same way the outward calm shores prove to be
treacherous deceiving (tricking) the sailors by hiding the rough dangerous and
destructive waves in the deeper sea. The outward calm shores attract the sailors to
venture out with a promise of a safe journey. When the sailors who have been tricked
take to the sea they are betrayed. The deeper seas prove to be destructive with
dangerous and ship wrecking waves.
An Indian woman uses a beautiful attractive , colourful and decorative scarf to cover her
face to hide the dusky dark complexion and make herself appear beautiful. Again the
outward attractive appearance is used as a means to trick and deceive.
Bassanio says that in short and in simple terms the apparent truth of virtue and beauty
which cunning (crafty) people of the given time used to trap, deceive and trick even the
wisest of men.
Thus based on the analysis he had made he said declaring that he would not choose
the flashy showy and outwardly attractive gold. He said that gold was beautiful only on
the outside. It had been proved hard food for King Midas
Therefore Bassanio said that he would have nothing to do with gold.
Why does Bassanio reject silver casket?
He said he would have nothing to do with the silver casket as he regarded silver as the
metal which represented the spirit of the common slave class and the lower class
society. It was used in the form of coins as a medium of exchange amongst the slaves
and lower class people of the English society. Therefore he would not have anything to
do with the silver casket.
Why did Bassanio select the lead casket?
According to Bassanio the lead casket was meagre ( unattractive and poor in value)
and the inscription on it was more of a warning than a promise of joy. He said the direct
brazen blunt message in the inscription moved him more that the words or any other
sweet eloquent words could do. It also meant that the simple not attractive and not very
flashy appearance moved him more than the message it carried in the form of the
inscription. Therefore he declared that he would make a choice of this particular casket.
He hoped that the end result of his choice would prove to be joyous and happy. The
consequence of his choice end up bringing joy and happiness as he was hoping to
achieve.