Shakespeare Glisters Is Not Gold
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All that glitters is not gold; an idiom derived from Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice. In a note written by Portia, she writes, “all that glisters is not gold,” and very well it appears so (2.7.65). For a better understanding of this quote, we must understand who the message was intended for. When Shakespeare wrote The Merchant of Venice, the year was 1558- right at the beginning of the Elizabethan Era. Queen Elizabeth rein succeeded from 1558 to 1603, a period often considered as the golden age. A period where new and radical ideas came about and Englands influence increased worldwide. This era was associated with faux gold where everything that could possibly be leafed in gold was. The idea behind gold leafing was to symbolize the idea of utopia- where Queen Elizabeth pushed towards efforts to create a better and perfect society. So to say “not that that glister is not gold” is a theme Shakespeares audience could have coincided with in society and the play. The audience were accustomed to plots and deceptions in their everyday lives in which they could relate to the play and view things from an outsiders point of view. The audience can view and understand the conditions of Portias casket game, and Shakespeare relates this game to the society in which they were living in. Portia puts on a casket game, similar to that of Queen Elizabeth, a game where you must uncover the hidden truth.
Portia and Bassanio demonstrate the idea where there are obstacles to uncover in romantic relationships; however with true love, there will always be a way. The caskets are obstacles Bassanio must overcome, and in tern if he does, he will understand the true nature of love to win Portia. Each of the three caskets represents a different view of love. Gold, silver, and lead, what is the most precious? The first to play the game is the Prince of Morocco. He unwisely chooses the gold casket and is barred from marrying anyone in the future. The reasoning behind his decision was that gold was the most precious metal of the three, therefore it could be the only one suited to hold Portias beautiful picture. Inscribed on the casket reads, “Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire (2.9.36).” To the Moroccan Prince, this casket seems to be the most practical to choose. However he reads desire as equaling to love, which unfortunately isnt the case. Love is deep inside of us in our hearts, and to love someone, we must have an understanding of that person and an affection that lies beneath the surface. Desire, on the other hand, is a picture completely the opposite of love. Desire is superficial and only skin deep. The desire of the Prince of Morocca is not in love, but in Portias fortune. “I do in birth deserve her, and in fortunes, in graces, and in qualities of breeding (2.7.32).” Not only does he love Portia for her fortunes, but this quote also shows his nature. Some men, like dogs, pursue their love in high hopes of sex and breeding. In the gold casket, Portia places a scroll in a skull that translates what desires will lead to, death. Wars have led the path for most deaths in history. When men desire more land or desire to force a group of people to take on their religion and beliefs, this will lead to wars and fighting, and ultimately death. This leads us to the The Price of Arragon and his fight for Portias hand in marriage.
The Prince of Arragon then comes along and chooses the silver casket, also again an incorrect choice. He reads the lead casket and it states, “Who chooseth me must give and harzard all he hath.” He doesnt believe that love is worth putting everything on the line for and Portia isnt worth everything. Then he moves onto the gold casket, “hE who chooses me will get what many men want.” Being arrogant, he thinks many men are fools to choose what is flashy. By choosing the silver casket, the Prince of Arragon bases his decision on desire. Like the Prince of Morocco, love isnt the same as desire. People who would choose the silver casket do not understand that love isnt a reward. Some people believe its love when in actuality its just the person trying to please the other. Trying to please the other is not love; it is merely just to be rewarded with the others present. The picture of the fool in the casket is similarly to whom and what we are, fools. Both the gold and silver casket gives a promise and reward for love which clearly isnt the case. Entering into a relationship with hopes of a reward that comes along with it is not loves nature. Love true nature is to give instead of receive, and if you both benefit even better. In picking the silver casket, the Prince of Arragon rather receive by getting what he deserves. In his arrogant stature, he believes he should receive the very best. This leaves the choice to the only casket left, lead.
Bassanio reasons in choosing the lead casket by rejecting the gold and silver caskets. The gold is like the world in that it is “deceived with ornament (3.2.74).” You cant judge a book by its cover, and often people are fooled by false appearances like the gold leafed items in the Golden Age. In court,