summary of "merchant if Venice" written by William Shakespeare
summary of Act4, scene 1.
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Name of the play : Merchant Of Venice :
ACT IV, Scene 1.
Venue : Venice
Characters :
Shylock, The Duke,Portia,Nerissa,Antonio,Bassanio,Gratiano
wShylock refuses to dismiss the bond,even for repayment of twice the original bond.The duke tries to reason with Shylock, asking him to show mercy towards the Merchant but Shylock argues and demanding for a pound of flesh...
Portia and Nerissa showed up in disguised as a young lawyer and clerk.Portia acknowledges the bond and apealing Shylock for mercy.When Shylock refuses Portia says " Law must be upheld,but still asking the jew for mercy.Again Shylock refuses to give mercy and demands for what is written in the bond.
Now Shylock preparing his knife and the scales through which he will measure the weight of the flesh of Antonio.Antonio gives farewell to Bassanio...
Now the sentence comes down.Potia now reveals the loopholes in the law : NOT A DROP OF BLOOD MAY BE SPILLED WHILE TAKING THE POUND OF FLESH FROM ANTONIO'S BODY..PRECISELY A POUND OF FLESH MAY BE TAKEN NO MORE OR LESS..OTHERWISE ALL THE POSSESSIONS WILL BE CONFISCATED BY THE STATE OF VENICE..
Now Shylock backpeadals,trying to take the payment properly at the same time Portia shows no mercy to him.
Furthermore, His is said that his (Shylock) property will be split between the Antonio and the State or he is subjected to death penalty.
Later the duke Allows him to live but requires that not only should Shylock's property given to Lorenzon and Jessica but that jew became a Christian as well.
In reply Shylock said he is not well all the documents for his assents were to be send in his home.
Antonio and Bassanio offer to pay Portia and Nerissa for their help.They refuses but Portia agrees to take Bassanio's ring that is his wedding ring. Bassanio refuses but initially he sends Gratiano to give the ring to Disguise Portia...
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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.
Portia is the central figure of the dramatic trial. Her brilliant and keen observation saved the life of an innocent man from an unforgiving enemy. 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.