Question

portias wealth and beauty had drawn to her suitors from far and near. but to all of them portia had but one reply- that she would only accept that suitor who would pledge himself to abide by the terms of her fathers will. these were conditions that frightened away many an ardent wooer. for he who would win portias heart and hand had to guess which of the three caskets held her portrait. if he guessed right, then portia would be his bride; if wrong, then he was bound by oath never to reveal which casket he chose, never to marry, and to go away at once.
the caskets were of gold, silver, and lead. the gold one bore this inscription: \who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire\; the silver one had this: \who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves\; while on the lead one were these words: \who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath.\
the prince of morocco assumed that neither lead nor silver could contain portias picture, and chose the gold casket. he found inside the likeness of what many men desire.
then came the haughty prince of arragon, and saying, \let me have what i deserve-surely i deserve the lady,\ he chose the silver one, and found inside a fools head.\
then at last came bassanio, and he walked up to the caskets and said, \mere outward show is to be despised. the world is still deceived with ornament, and so no flashy gold or shining silver for me. i choose the lead casket!\ and opening it, he found portias portrait inside, and he turned to her and asked her if she would marry him.
how does bassanio contribute to the theme of the story?
a. bassanios clever act of choosing the lead casket shows that one should use clear thinking to become rich.
b. bassanios love for portia shows that love can help one overcome even the most difficult problem.
c. bassanios decision to choose the lead casket shows that one must not judge things or people by their appearance.
d. bassanios desire to marry portia shows that one must do things differently and not follow the crowd.

Explanation:

Bassanio's choice of the lead casket (not the gold or silver ones which are more flashy) shows the theme of not judging by appearance. The gold casket's inscription is about gain, the silver about getting what one deserves, but the lead asks for giving and hazarding. Bassanio's decision to pick the plain - looking lead casket (not being swayed by the more attractive gold and silver) aligns with the idea of not judging by appearance.

Answer:

C. Bassanio's decision to choose the lead casket shows that one must not judge things or people by their appearance.