Many scholars have argued about the role of justice and mercy in The Merchant of Venice. One of the largest interpretations of the role of justice and mercy is that Portia represents mercy seen in Christianity while Shylock demonstrates the emphasis on justice seen in Judaism. Rather than emphasizing one religion over another, Shakespeare utilizes Portia and Shylock to demonstrate how both concepts of justice and mercy can be utilized for self-seeking purposes in The Merchant of Venice.
The interactions between Portia and Shylock are largely seen in the Venice courtroom scene. This courtroom results when Portia’s husband Bassiano asks Anthony for a loan which Anthony loans from Shylock and is unable to repay. Anthony and Shylock initially …show more content…
The first way that Portia is able to manipulate the court room is by making herself appear to be an expert of both justice and mercy. Portia does such an excellent job of tricking Shylock into believing that that she is both just and merciful. First, she attempts to take the mercy angle, which is largely seen in her “Quality of Mercy” speech. She uses a similar technique in this speech as Shylock does when he says that if he does not fulfill his oath that he made by heaven that he will be damned, when she says that mercy is “an attribute to God himself. /And earthly power doth then show likest God’s/When mercy seasons justice (4.1. 184-186).” However, when Shylock is unresponsive to her appeal to mercy, Portia also demonstrates that she is a supporter of justice as well and that she understands Shylock’s point that if his case is not justly dealt with then it means that the whole Venie system is flawed. Shylock is so impressed by her ability to incorporate justice that he calls her “A Daniel come to judgement, yea, a Daniel! -/O wise young judge, how I do honor thee! (4.1.213-214).” This is a reference to Daniel in the Bible who had to wisely make difficult court decisions. However, as Christianity and Literature says, “Daniel, like Portia, is successful in bringing deliverance through reading. However, unlike Portia, he ascribes his ability to understand the dream to His God (392)” Portia’s use of …show more content…
And which the Jew says Merchant of Venice demonstrates how Portia and Shylock “Christian and Jew alike have severed their ties with their Scriptural spiritual origins, and in doing so, they have lost their souls (187).” Although it is tempting for one to choose sides based on religious preference by championing one over another by arguing that one stands for mercy and one stands for justice, this is simply not true. Shakespeare utilizes Portia and Shylock to demonstrate how both concepts of justice and mercy can be utilized for self-seeking purposes in The Merchant of Venice. Shylock’s true motivation is revenge and while he utilizes tactics such as emphasizing his ties to religion, his desire to uphold the Venetian law, and his right of personal preference to cover up this motive, this motive stands throughout the courtroom scene. Although Portia seems like the merciful one, she also uses tactics to manipulate the courtroom such as making herself appear to be an expert in justice and mercy and using Shylock’s own methods against him in order to have an upper hand and to ultimately avenge the wrong treatment of Shylock on her husband’s friend
The interactions between Portia and Shylock are largely seen in the Venice courtroom scene. This courtroom results when Portia’s husband Bassiano asks Anthony for a loan which Anthony loans from Shylock and is unable to repay. Anthony and Shylock initially …show more content…
The first way that Portia is able to manipulate the court room is by making herself appear to be an expert of both justice and mercy. Portia does such an excellent job of tricking Shylock into believing that that she is both just and merciful. First, she attempts to take the mercy angle, which is largely seen in her “Quality of Mercy” speech. She uses a similar technique in this speech as Shylock does when he says that if he does not fulfill his oath that he made by heaven that he will be damned, when she says that mercy is “an attribute to God himself. /And earthly power doth then show likest God’s/When mercy seasons justice (4.1. 184-186).” However, when Shylock is unresponsive to her appeal to mercy, Portia also demonstrates that she is a supporter of justice as well and that she understands Shylock’s point that if his case is not justly dealt with then it means that the whole Venie system is flawed. Shylock is so impressed by her ability to incorporate justice that he calls her “A Daniel come to judgement, yea, a Daniel! -/O wise young judge, how I do honor thee! (4.1.213-214).” This is a reference to Daniel in the Bible who had to wisely make difficult court decisions. However, as Christianity and Literature says, “Daniel, like Portia, is successful in bringing deliverance through reading. However, unlike Portia, he ascribes his ability to understand the dream to His God (392)” Portia’s use of …show more content…
And which the Jew says Merchant of Venice demonstrates how Portia and Shylock “Christian and Jew alike have severed their ties with their Scriptural spiritual origins, and in doing so, they have lost their souls (187).” Although it is tempting for one to choose sides based on religious preference by championing one over another by arguing that one stands for mercy and one stands for justice, this is simply not true. Shakespeare utilizes Portia and Shylock to demonstrate how both concepts of justice and mercy can be utilized for self-seeking purposes in The Merchant of Venice. Shylock’s true motivation is revenge and while he utilizes tactics such as emphasizing his ties to religion, his desire to uphold the Venetian law, and his right of personal preference to cover up this motive, this motive stands throughout the courtroom scene. Although Portia seems like the merciful one, she also uses tactics to manipulate the courtroom such as making herself appear to be an expert in justice and mercy and using Shylock’s own methods against him in order to have an upper hand and to ultimately avenge the wrong treatment of Shylock on her husband’s friend