Question

Irony in merchant of venice act 4 scene 1

Answer 1

The irony is that , Shylock had been wanting to take Antonio's life as had lodged hate for Antonio. He had been insisting that the doctor of law Balthazar should take into consideration the bond word by word. That brings the turn of events as the bond allow Shylock to take only a pound of flesh from Antonio. Portia under the guise of Balthazar allows Shylock to take the pound of flesh from Antonio provided that he does not take even a single jot of blood. She says that if even a single drop of Christian blood is shed Shylock's land and goods will be confiscated by the State of Venice. Shylock realizes that he had been foiled. He is further accused of taking the life of Antonio. Portia reminds Shylock that one of the laws of Venice forbids an alien from directly or indirectly attempting to seek the life of any citizen of Venice. One half of Shylock's wealth goes to the privy coffer of the State which the Duke reduces to a fine and the other half goes to Antonio who says that he will forgive Shylock the money provide Lorenzo becomes Shylock's heir and Shylock converts to a Christian.

Answer 2

Answer:

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. Shylock states that there was an agreement between Antonio and him, so the agreement should not be broken. He has no mercy and is eager to take the life by cutting a pound of flesh from the body of Antonio.

When Portia saves 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.

Portia says the bond allows for a pound of flesh, but not for the shedding of blood. Shylock can take the pound of flesh but he cannot take any blood. He would forfeit all of his goods to Venice. 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. It is the downfall of the person who seemed to have everything going as he planned.