Question

DESCRIBE THE DRAMATIC SIGNIFICANCE OF THE TRIAL SCENE IN THE MERCHANT OF VENICE

Answer 1

in this scene,antonio is brought before the duke and the other important people in venice to stand trial for failing to pay off his debt to shylock. the duke cannot find any legal fault in shylocks bond, and is hence, upset about the penalty imposed on antonio. although shylock is offered six thousand ducats as a repayment of the loan, he refuses to forego his pound of flesh.the trail scene is symbolic of the divide between justice and evil.it shows how greedy and thoughtless shylock has become and how no amount of reason is able to sooth his thirst for a fellow humans blood.

Answer 2

Answer:

Significance of the Trial Scene in 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 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. 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.

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, all his properties and his dignity.