Question

in the play merchant of Venice in the court seen does antonio takes half of shylochs property or returns it to Shylock​

Answer 1

basically shylock's property is divided into 2 right- one to the sate and one to the person he's conspired against (antonio) when portia asks the duke what mercy can be rendered- he says one half can be reduced to a fine here hes talking about the states share as portia emphises that antonio will have the same amount.

antonio now says he is content with what he has and with the second half would be kept by him but wont be used by antonio - he'll keep it in a trust. so antonio keeps the property but is in a trust for jessica and lorenzo