Question

Then Portia bade her servants to bring music and play while Bassanio made his choice. And Bassanio took the oath and walked up to the chests—the musicians playing softly the while. "Mere outward show," he said, "is to be despised. The world is still deceived with ornament, and so no gaudy gold or shining silver for me. I choose the lead casket; joy be the consequence!" And opening it, he found fair Portia's portrait inside, and he turned to her and asked if it were true that she was his.

Which statement best expresses a central idea in the last paragraph of the passage?
A.
Bassanio is able to identify the correct casket with the help of the music playing in the background.
B.
Bassanio is able to identify the correct casket with the help of clues that Portia delivers to him.
C.
Bassanio is able to identify the correct casket because he does not care for outwardly appearances or fancy things.
D.
Bassanio is able to identify the correct casket because he has had experiences in the past where he was deceived by appearance.

Answer 1

Bassanio chooses the correct casket based on the value of inner qualities over external appearances, aligning with the central idea that true worth is not determined by outward show. Therefore, the correct option is C

Step-by-step explanation:

The central idea in the last paragraph of the passage is best expressed by statement C. Bassanio is able to identify the correct casket because he does not care for outwardly appearances or fancy things. Bassanio rejects the gold and silver caskets, which represent external allure and wealth, and instead chooses the lead casket, which symbolizes inner value and substance over superficiality. His successful choice validates the theme that true worth lies beyond outward appearances.