merchant of Venice,introduction of trial scene
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Although Shylock is the villain of this play, Shakespeare departs from the Elizabethan caricature of the cruel, hated Jew, as exemplified by Marlowe’s Barabas in *The Jew of Malta* (1589-90). His creation is more complex, fusing humanity with unrelenting cruelty and a strict adherence to the letter of the law. In this way
Despite being on a more comic trajectory, Portia, like Shylock, is also bound by strict adherence to the law. First, she faithfully submits to the terms of her father’s will, which force her to select her future husband according to their choice of gold, silver or leaden casket (a passage famously discussed by Freud in 1913).
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. 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 and Antonio 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. According to the law his properties will be confiscate and divided between the city of Venice and Antonio. Shylock has already refused the offer in court, and he will receive only the law, just as he asked for.