Question

Give your estimate of Portia’s performance at the trial of Antonio. 1500 words.

Answer 1

The trial scene in the Merchant of Venice is the climax of the play as Shylock has taken Antonio to court, as he has not paid back the money he borrowed. Shylock wants the pound of flesh that is the forfeit of the bond concerning the money Antonio borrowed from him. Shylock’s main motivation for wanting this forfeit is as his daughter has stolen his money and run away, he is taking out his spite on Antonio and this blinds him as he does not watch what he is getting into during this scene



From the point where Shylock enters the courtroom everyone opposing him is appealing for mercy for Antonio and this is what the scene demonstrates, a need for mercy. Portia says shortly after she has entered the scene ‘Then the Jew must be merciful’ she is not saying that this is what the law says he must be, but that he should do this because it is the only thing he can do morally. The mercy theme runs all the way through the scene and many opportunities were offered by the Duke, Bassanio and Portia for Shylock to take the moral course of action, but he constantly refuses saying he should get what he deserves not by moral justice but by the law.

Answer 2

Answer:

The trial scene in The Merchant of Venice serves as the play's finale since Antonio is being sued by Shylock for failing to repay the money he borrowed. In exchange for the bond forfeiture relating to the money Antonio borrowed from him, Shylock demands his "pound of flesh." Due to his daughter stealing his money and fleeing, Shylock is primarily motivated by retaliation towards Antonio in this scene, which causes him to become blind and not pay attention to what he is doing. Everyone opposing Shylock has been pleading for Antonio's pity ever since he entered the courtroom, and this is what the scene shows—a need for mercy. The moment Portia enters the scene, she adds, "Then the Jew must be merciful." She is not stating that this is what the law requires of him, but rather that he should act in this way because it is the only ethically acceptable course of action. The play is centered on the topic of mercy, and Shylock is repeatedly given chances to act morally by the Duke, Bassanio, and Portia. However, he consistently declines, arguing that he should receive his just desserts through legal rather than moral justice.

The play's finale is Antonio's trial because he entered into a usury deal with Shylock on behalf of Bassanio while Antonio was in jail. Shylock is willing to take a pound of Antonio's flesh in exchange for his heart, which will result in Antonio's death. To interfere in the trial, Portia and Nerissa, one of her servants, at the time dressed as men. As Balthasar, Portia argues that Shylock should show Antonio mercy.

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