What did the 3 caskets in The Merchant of Venice mean?

The 3 caskets in The Merchant of Venice each represented different aspects of a woman's character and the role of women in society. The gold casket represented wealth and material possessions, the silver casket represented wisdom and intelligence, and the lead casket represented true love and purity. The play's protagonist, Bassanio, is faced with the difficult choice of which casket to choose, as each casket has its own pros and cons. Ultimately, Bassanio chooses the lead casket, which reveals the portrait of Portia, the woman he loves. This choice emphasizes the importance of love and true character over material wealth or intellectual prowess in a potential partner.