Textbook Solutions: The Three Caskets | Gul Mohar Class 8: Book Solutions, Summaries & Worksheets PDF Download

Before You Read

Understanding the Text

A. I. Let us compare how each suitor thinks about the three caskets. Complete the grid below to observe each suitor's point of view.

Ans: 

B. Answer these questions

Q2: Is the Prince of Morocco, nevertheless, proud of his brave deeds and well-mannered in his speech? What makes you say so?
Ans: The Prince of Morocco is clearly proud of his bravery and achievements. He boasts of killing the Sophy and a Persian prince, and of winning three battles against Sultan Solyman. He swears by his sword and even claims he could mock a roaring lion to win Portia. At the same time, he is courteous in his address to her, respectful in tone, and seeks her approval before attempting the challenge, showing he is both proud and well-mannered.

Q3: Look at the Prince of Morocco’s reaction to the inscriptions on the caskets. What do you think of the way he dismisses lead as dull and dross – “not worthy of a golden mind”? (Who is judging by colour now?) (para 9)
Ans: The Prince of Morocco ironically judges the caskets by their outward appearance, even though he wanted Portia not to judge him by his skin colour. He dismisses the lead casket as worthless, saying a noble mind should not stoop to choose dross. This reveals his own prejudice towards external value, showing that he has contradicted his earlier plea. His judgment is shallow, and this leads him to make the wrong choice by going for glittering gold.

Q4: How does the Prince of Arragon let Portia know that he is aware of the rules? What are the rules and how did he get to know them? What is Portia’s response to Arragon’s statement? (paras 15 and 16)
Ans: The Prince of Arragon shows he knows the rules by solemnly swearing three things: never to tell anyone which casket he chooses, never to marry if he fails, and to leave immediately if he chooses wrongly. These rules were set in Portia’s father’s will and each suitor is required to agree to them. Arragon states his oath before making his choice. Portia responds that every suitor must swear the same conditions and reminds him of the risk involved before he proceeds.

Q5: What is Arragon’s response to the inscription on the golden casket? Do you think he is something of a snob? (See how he refers to “the fool multitude,” “the common spirits” and “the barbarous multitude”.) (para 17)
Ans: Arragon rejects the gold casket, saying that what many men desire is what the foolish and common multitude run after. He refuses to rank himself with the “barbarous” masses, showing a sense of superiority. This indeed makes him sound like a snob, as he looks down on ordinary people and believes himself above them. His arrogance is revealed in his words, and it blinds him to the real meaning of the test.

Q6: Think of Bassanio’s long speech rejecting the golden casket. Is his strong disapproval of pretence and falsehood in society sincere and apt for the situation? Or is it somewhat dramatic and overdone, as though for an audience? See how he then goes on to choose the lead casket with large-hearted expressions like “thou meagre lead” and “thy plainness moves me more than eloquence”. (para 29)
Ans: Bassanio’s speech shows a deep dislike for appearances that deceive, whether in law, beauty, or human nature. He condemns ornament and false glitter as dangerous traps and praises honesty and simplicity. While his words may sound dramatic, they are fitting for the moment because he wants to show Portia that he values substance over show. His final choice of the plain lead casket, moved by its honesty, proves his sincerity. Thus, his speech is both passionate and meaningful rather than just theatrical.

Q7: Which of these adjectives would you choose to describe Bassanio?
Ans: a. straightforward

Q8: Do you think Portia was equally impartial with all three suitors, or did she, in her mind, favour one of them? What supports your view?
Ans: Portia outwardly behaved impartially with all three suitors as required by her father’s will, but inwardly she clearly favoured Bassanio. She tried to delay his choice, spoke at length to him, and wished she could guide him to the right casket. Her words show concern for him alone, unlike with Morocco or Arragon. This suggests she had already developed feelings for Bassanio and secretly desired his success in the challenge.

Appreciating the Text

Read the Lines

Q2: “gilded tombs do worms infold” (para 11)
Ans: This means outward beauty and splendour can hide decay and death, warning against trusting appearances.

Q3: “thus hath the candle sing’d the moth” (para 20)
Ans: Portia compares rejected suitors to moths burned by a candle, suggesting they are drawn to her but destroyed by their own desire.

Q4: “Thus ornament is but the guiled shore to a most dangerous sea” (para 29)
Ans: Bassanio says outward glitter is like a deceptive shore that lures sailors to disaster, meaning false appearances lead to ruin.