Biblical Allusions or other Mythological evidences related to Forgiveness and Mercy compared to Elizabethan law during the Shakespearian era that controlled various aspects of society especially where criminal and civil matters were concerned. Describe their influences on Shakespeare and his writings.
Answers
Biblical Allusion and Allegory are present in Shakespearean writing such as in "The Merchant of Venice."
Explanation:
- In the play, he has used the Biblical mythological evidence related to forgiveness in the court scene when Portia saves Antonio.
- Shakespeare has also used the content of the old Testament of law that leads to death and destruction.
- In the play, mercy has been represented as an allusion to the superiority of the natural law.
Answer:
Explanation:
Antonio, the merchant of Venice borrows money from Shylock, a Jewish moneylender, to send his friend Bassanio to Belmont to woo and marry his love, Portia. However, when the bond expires Antonio fails to pay the money back in time. Shylock as per the terms of the bond takes Antonio to the court demanding from him a pound of flesh in payment. Portia, the lead female protagonist is disguised as a lawyer with her friend and lady-in-waiting Nerissa. She saves Antonio from the evil clutches of Shylock by using the law in her favour. In this trial scene the main theme of “JUSTICE and MERCY” is highlighted. Shylock does not want a single ducat but only seeks his revenge from Antonio, therefore he seeks JUSTICE and pleads the court stating that he cannot be denied of justice and wants a pound of flesh from Antonio as per the terms of the bond which both, Shylock and Antonio agreed upon. On the controversy, Portia in the disguise of a lawyer moves the court for MERCY to Antonio, giving a long lecture on the virtue of mercy and how it does good to both who shows mercy and who receives. As Shylock is rigid with his claim for justice, Portia challenges him, stating that as per the bond if Antonio has failed to return the money, Shylock can cut a pound of flesh from Antonio but without shedding a single drop of blood, which is practically impossible. Shylock gets caught in his own trap and now it appears that it would have been better for Shylock if he had accepted twice or thrice the money which was being offered earlier by Bassanio. The situation appears so that, if Shylock becomes merciful he is deprived of the JUSTICE he deserves, revenge from Antonio. And, if justice is given to Shylock in a strict way at the cost of Antonio’s life, noble virtues like MERCY are discouraged. All this adds up to the theme of conflict between JUSTICE and MERCY. The audience in the Shakespearean period are seen on the side of Antonio; they see Shylock as bloodthirsty but would want the conflict to be resolved. But the modern readers see it the other way around. Nowadays Shylock is seen as more of a victim in the hands of the Christians than a villain. If the play is understood in depth it is evident that it is Antonio who happens to be the real villain. He insults Shylock, his religion, his customs and traditions, his Jewish dress and also his business. He spits on him and treats him like a street dog in the Rialto in front of other merchants just because he is a Jew. Later, he seeks help from Shylock by asking him to lend him 3000 ducats, which Shylock does and they sign the bond. When Antonio is unable to pay the bond and sees his life at risk he begs for mercy. At the end of the scene, Shylock is blamed for attempting to take the life of a noble Christian citizen, and he is forced to become a Christian. He loses his bond and has to part with half his wealth, and after he dies all his property and money will be inherited by Jessica and his son-in-law Lorenzo.
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