The guilty party's life lies in the mercy of the Duke only.... a. Who said to whom? b. Why did the speaker say the above line? c. What was Pearson's logic regarding his life?
Answers
The duke is clearly compassionate. He feels pity for Antonio and states the following when he appears before him:
I am sorry for thee: thou art come to answer
A stony adversary, an inhuman wretch
uncapable of pity, void and empty
From any dram of mercy.
In this statement the duke calls Shylock 'a stony adversary' meaning that he has no feelings and is a tough opponent who is not willing to be swayed by any means. Shylock, he says, is pitiless and without even a smidgen of compassion. The implication is, therefore, that Antonio should expect the worst since Shylock will not back down, in any way, from his claim for restitution. Antonio acknowledges that he has learnt of the duke's numerous attempts to sway Shylock so that he may show clemency, but the Jew stubbornly refused to be turned