A. Look at the picture and discuss it in pairs.
B. Read the text and answer the questions that follow.
Bassanio went to Belmont to visit Portia grandly dressed, with many servants. Portia's father had died lately. Before his death he had thought of an unusual plan to find a good husband for his daughter. He wanted a man to marry Portia for herself and not for her wealth. He had three caskets made, one of gold, one of silver and one of lead. One of the caskets had Portia's portrait in it The suitor who would first choose the casket with the portrait would marry her.
The first one to try was the prince of Morocco. He thought that silver and lead are poor metals. It is the casket made of precious metal that can hold the precious picture. So he chose the gold casket. But all he found was a picture of a skull with a message that said, "All that glitters is not gold." The prince was very sad and went back home. Then came the prince of Spain. He looked at the silver casket for a long time. On it was written, " He who chooses me will get what he deserves." The prince had a very high opinion about himself. He thought that he deserved the best. He therefore chose the silver casket and opened it. Inside the casket he found the picture of a blinking fool. He was very disappointed and offended. He immediately rode away.
Then it was Bassanio's turn. He looked at the caskets for a long time. He thought, " Appearances are often misleading. Bad men appear good and they hide their inner ugliness under fine clothes." So he chose the plain looking lead casket. On opening the casket, he found the portrait of Portia inside. Bassamo and Portia got married. There was great joy at Belmont and the newly married couple were spending their time happily.
But soon their happiness turned into sorrow by a piece of news. A messenger came with a letter from Antonio. The letter said, "Dear friend Bassanio, all my ships have been lost at sea. I cannot pay the money I owe to Shylock. So I have to pay the penalty. Dear friend, come and see me if possible. I would like to see you once before I die." Bassamo quickly left for Venice.
Questions
1 Why did Portia's father make such a strange plan?
2 Write what you know of the three caskets.
3 How many people attempted to choose the right casket? What was the result?
4 Who succeeded to marry Portia? Why/How?
5 Why did the joyous mood at Belmont turn sad?
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