To understand the phrase and recognise its humour, one should know the context in which it is used. In this instance, the reference to 'blinking idiot' is made by the prince Arragon after he has decided to choose the silver casket in his quest to win the beautiful and wealthy Portia's hand in marriage. Portia's deceased father had determined in his will that she may only wed a suitor who had chosen the correct casket of three: gold, silver and lead.
Since he had left behind an enormous fortune, the successful suitor would not only increase his own wealth, but he would also have a most beautiful wife. It is for this reason that many suitors came to Belmont to try their fortune.
The will forbade Portia to assist any of those who chanced their luck and those who were unsuccessful were bound to an agreement not to woo or marry any other woman and to also not reveal which casket they had chosen. It is, therefore, quite a risky venture for those who attempt it.
The prince Arragon, as his name d, is quite egotistical and arrogant. Portia had mentioned as much to Nerissa when they discussed him in Act 1. On that occasion, he was referred to as the Neapolitan prince. Portia remarked:
Ay, that's a colt indeed, for he doth nothing but
talk of his horse; and he makes it a great
appropriation to his own good parts, that he can
shoe him himself. I am much afeard my lady his
mother played false with a smith.
Portia is mocking the prince and talks about what a braggart he is. Her suggestion is that he lacks noble qualities probably because he was the result of his mother having an illicit love affair with a blacksmith, hence his obsession with horse-shoeing. The audience, at this stage, would already have a perception of a foolish and vain man and would look forward to seeing how he is presented on stage.
It is not surprising then that when the prince of Arragon makes his appearance to choose a casket, he behaves like a buffoon, talking about himself and making derogatory remarks about those who choose the lead and gold caskets. In his bombastic and supercilious speech before choosing, he remarks:
And so have I address'd me. Fortune now
To my heart's hope! Gold; silver; and base lead.
'Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath.'
You shall look fairer, ere I give or hazard.
What says the golden chest? ha! let me see:
'Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire.'
What many men desire! that 'many' may be meant
By the fool multitude, that choose by show,
Not learning more than the fond eye doth teach;
Which pries not to the interior, but, like the martlet,
Builds in the weather on the outward wall,
Even in the force and road of casualty.
I will not choose what many men desire,
Because I will not jump with common spirits
And rank me with the barbarous multitudes.
Why, then to thee, thou silver treasure-house;
Tell me once more what title thou dost bear:
'Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves:'
And well said too; for who shall go about
To cozen fortune and be honourable
Without the stamp of merit? Let none presume
To wear an undeserved dignity.
O, that estates, degrees and offices
Were not derived corruptly, and that clear honour
Were purchased by the merit of the wearer!
How many then should cover that stand bare!
How many be commanded that command!
How much low peasantry would then be glean'd
From the true seed of honour! and how much honour
Pick'd from the chaff and ruin of the times
To be new-varnish'd! Well, but to my choice:
'Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves.'
I will assume desert. Give me a key for this,
And instantly unlock my fortunes here.
At this point, the audience is keen to see what choice the prince makes. His speech has pertinently displayed his vanity and snobbishness. He rejects the lead casket outright, for it is not beautiful or valuable enough to deserve his attention. He also refuses the gold casket since he, in his greatness, cannot be associated with the multitude, the common folk. He is unique and special and deserves only the best. The terms he uses are highly sarcastic and demeaning for he believes that there are many who do not deserve their positions. He, on the other hand, was born into rank and title and, therefore, deserves the best.
It is with this in mind that he chooses the silver casket for the inscription reads: "Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves." The prince assumes that he deserves quality and believes he has made the perfect choice. The audience awaits with bated breath to see if he truly gets 'what he deserves.'
Once the prince opens the casket, he exclaims:
What's here? the portrait of a blinking idiot,
Presenting me a schedule! I will read it.
How much unlike art thou to Portia!
How much unlike my hopes and my deservings!
'Who chooseth me shall have as much as he deserves.'
Did I deserve no more than a fool's head?
Is that my prize? are my deserts no better?
The prince is obviously shocked, for that was the last thing he expected. At this point the audience would be either laughing or giggling, for the prince would have gotten his just desserts. Serves him right for being so arrogant and pompous! He had been behaving like a fool and rightfully so, he had been rewarded with what he deserves. To add insult to injury, the portrait is 'blinking' which could mean that, to tease the recipient even further, the image has a wink. The word could also be seen as an expletive which the prince utters in shock when he sees his mocking reward.
After reading the scroll, which insults him even more, probably adding to the mirth the audience experiences at this time, he is clearly embarrassed and takes his leave for his continued presence would make him feel even more foolish.
Portia heaves a sigh of relief stating that the prince had burnt himself like a foolish moth does with a candle. She comments further that fools become even more foolish when they attempt to impress others and then lose in the end.
No comments:
Post a Comment