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The Merchant of Venice - the Lottery or Casket Plot

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Submitted By Madash
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What do you think Portia's father was thinking about when he devised the lottery scheme for his daughter's marriage?
Do you think this was a good idea or not?
Give at least one quote from Act I , properly cited using MLA format, that supports your opinion.

I think that Portia's father was thinking when he created the lottery. The chests all had words on them that presented a trick question so that it was not just a random lottery. He knew the man that picked the correct chest was truly wise and would risk everything for Portia's love. At the same time, Portia's father clearly did not trust her to pick her own husband, even though she seems like a thoughtful and smart woman. Portia said: “But this reasoning is not in the fashion to choose me a husband. O me, the word 'choose!' I may neither choose whom I would nor refuse whom I dislike; so is the will of a living daughter curbed by the will of a dead father” (1, 2, 22-25). Although I think the trick question was a good way to pick a wise husband for Portia, overall I do not feel that it is a good way for her husband to be determined. This lottery does not mean that her husband will be good to her or love her. Portia also does not get to pick someone that she loves and so the marriage will likely be one that she does not like. So in conclusion, although Portia's father found a good way to find her a wise husband I think it would be better if he trusted her to pick someone who she loved and trusted

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