Question

Need answered asap x : why did the prince of aaragon choose the silver casket in the merchant of Venice

Answer 1

The Prince of Arragon is the second suitor to come try for Portia's hand (the second one we see in the play, anyway), in Act 2, Scene 9. Like the Prince of Morocco, the Prince of Arragon reasons his way through the caskets. The lead is too plain, he suspects, and the gold too ostentatious; the "many" people who value appearances over reality would choose it but would be mistaken to do so.

In considering the silver casket, Arragon considers carefully, reflecting that many who are rich and powerful do not deserve to be so, while many who are poor and weak deserve more wealth and power than they can claim. After much reflection, Arragon decides he does, in fact, deserve Portia, saying: