Question

put yorself in the shoes of Shylock and in the circumstances: explain your actions. 100 words please
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Answer 1

Answer:

Putting myself in Shylock’s shoes! Interesting!

Now I don’t see Shylock as a stark villain. He appears to be an ordinary human being who had been maligned, insulted and racially abused. Not just that he suffered financial losses also because of Antonio who lent without interest. So Shylock is a long suffering soul waiting for a chance of retribution which eventually comes to him. He is visibly delighted as anyone would be when Antonio asks for the loan. So far I empathize with Shylock. I empathize with the animosity he feels for someone who publicly calls him names. I don’t think I would have acted differently or would have been able to bear insults with equanimity.

But to come upon the menacing plan of demanding a pound of flesh in case he fails to return the sum in due time! I am not sure if such an idea would ever cross my mind. Now suppose I submit to such an idea. Suppose blinded by my rage at the treatment meted out to me at the hands of the borrower I proposed such a bond. People do behave irrationally in their fury.

Knowing myself well and knowing the impact of Portia’s earnest plea for mercy in the courtroom has on me I am sure I would have relented. Portia’s impassioned eloquence would definitely have saved me from meeting Shylock’s fate.

I am just adding a link to that masterful speech on the importance of mercy in upholding justice for the benefit of the readers.