Describe Shylock's mood at the beginning and at the end of the trial scene(Merchant of Venice Act 4 Scene 1).
Answers
At the beginning of the trial scene of play Merchant of Venice, Shylock is in a murderer's mood craving for Antonio's flesh. Act 4 Scene 1 starts off with Portia's request to show mercy on Antonio and Bassanio's offer of double or triple the money. Shylock refuses all offers. At the end of Act 4 Scene 1, Shylock is tricked by Portia's argument of cutting flesh without a drop of blood. Shylock behaves like a lost mariner crying for his money and even agrees to leave the interest of he gets the principal amount.
Answer:
Trial Scene Of Merchant Of Venice
Act IV, Scene I of William Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice involves the climactic court scene in which Shylock and Antonio confront one another, in person, before Portia, who will determine Antonio's fate.
Shylock is unpopular with other characters who accuse him of practising usury. This means lending money with outrageously high rates of interest. The merchants, such as Antonio, too cannot stand Shylock because they believe his way of making money is immoral.
The trial scene is perhaps the most important scene of the play 'The Merchant of Venice'. It is the scene which sets the ground for logic, justice, and righteousness. The trial is perhaps the most crucial scene in the play. In Act IV, Scene I, Shylock demands the right to cut a pound of flesh from Antonio's body. The court's decision determines Antonio's fate. The duke appeals to Shylock's sense of compassion, to no avail. The cunning Shylock, smitten by his prejudice, wants to ruin Antonio on the basis of the bond signed by Antonio. He was determined to cut a pound of flesh from Antonio's body. He has no mercy and is eager to take the life of Antonio.
When Portia and Antonios reach there, Portia uses her clever wit to save Antonio. she says that sure, the words are "a pound of flesh" but she analyzes the bond and quickly finds out that there is no "blood" written in it. So she uses that as a advantage against Shylock and wins the case. She says the bond allows for a pound of flesh, but not for the shedding of blood. If Shylock takes a drop of Christian blood from Antonio, then the law of Venice states that Venice can confiscate his land and goods. Shylock has already refused the offer in court, and he will receive only the law, just as he asked for.
Portia is the central figure of the dramatic trial. Her role is significant. Her verdict of the trial is symbolic of the victory of good overcoming evil. The Merchant of Venice is the conflict between self interest and love. Shylock loses the case and his dignity. Justice eventually comes out triumphantly.