Portia Denies the Jew Mercy

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer discusses the concept of mercy in "The Merchant of Venice" and how it shown as is entirely dependent upon personal favoritism. The writer notes that the character of Portia, disguised as Balthazar, interprets Venetian law to the wishes of Shylock, but than accuses him of attempted murder. With this dramatic courtroom scene, the writer points out that Shakespeare is uncovering an uncomfortable truth to the hypocrisy found in Portia's and Antonio's cajoling for mercy. The writer discusses that mercy in 'The Merchant of Venice' is given and taken away based upon subjective interest as opposed to good will. Because Shylock is trying to take revenge upon her husband's friend, Portia denies Shylock mercy. The writer relates that cleverness gives Portia the upper hand with Shylock in court, and the audience may see an end to the villain, but there is a lingering sense of wrongness about her ease of manipulation of the Venetian legal system. The writer concludes that Shakespeare, through disguising Portia and having her be the character to bring about the fall of Shylock, is questioning the sincerity of the mercy the Christians in the play are offering.

From the Paper:

"Portia's goal in the courtroom scene in The Merchant of Venice is neither justice in the courtroom sense nor fairness that the Christian model provides but rather the redemption of her husband's friendship with Antonio through the defeat of the villainous Shylock. That is to say, she is acting with a biasness stemming from personal vindictiveness and not Christian concern for a universal sense of justice. Shakespeare is showing that vindictiveness and favoritism renders us unable to make any judgment without prejudice. When Portia's plan to defeat Shylock's villainy with monetary value fails, as she suggests paying the Jewish merchant three times the sum of the monetary value he lost, Portia turns to the court. Portia undermines any justice or law available to Shylock and prematurely has already decided his fate in the court. "

Sample of Sources Used:

• William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice

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