# Scene IX: The Prince of Arragon's Choice explained — The Merchant of Venice

> Chapter companion for The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare.

## What happens

In Belmont, the Prince of Arragon arrives to take the casket test for Portia's hand. He rejects the gold casket, which promises 'what many men desire,' because he disdains common opinion. He chooses the silver casket, which promises 'as much as he deserves,' but finds inside a fool's head. He departs in shame. After his exit, a servant announces the arrival of a young Venetian messenger heralding the approach of his lord, who is Bassanio.

## Themes in this chapter

### Appearance vs. Reality

Arragon rejects the gold casket for its showy appeal but is deceived by the silver casket's promise of merit, only to find a fool's head—revealing that outward appearances and self-perception can mislead.

### Greed and Materialism

Arragon's choice of the silver casket, driven by a desire for deserved reward, ironically results in a worthless prize, highlighting the folly of valuing material or symbolic gain over true worth.

## Character check-ins

### Portia

Portia presides over the casket test for the Prince of Arragon, observing his failure with a sense of relief and wit.

### Prince of Arragon

Arragon chooses the silver casket based on his belief in merit, but finds a fool's head, leaving humiliated.

### Nerissa

Nerissa assists Portia and eagerly anticipates Bassanio's arrival, hoping he will be the successful suitor.

### Bassanio

Bassanio is announced as the approaching lord whose messenger has arrived with gifts, signaling his imminent arrival in Belmont.

## Key lines

> Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves.

The person who picks me will receive exactly what they merit.

_This is the inscription on the silver casket, which Arragon chooses, believing in his own deserving nature._

> 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.

The longer I stay, the more foolish I'll seem; I arrived with one fool's head (my own), but I leave with two (the fool's head in the casket).

_Arragon's bitter epilogue after opening the silver casket, acknowledging his own folly._

## Links

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