Who prevents Shylock from feeding fat his ancient grudge? How?
Answers
Portia disguised as a lawyer prevents Shylock from feeding his fat ancient grudge on Antonio. Shylock demanded for justice after the forfeiture of the bind by Antonio. On forfeiture of the bond Shylock could cut off a pound of flesh from Antonio's body as the penalty.
to prevent this Portia taking help of her cousin Dr.Bellario regarding the clothes and documents, comes as a lawyer to the court. She warns Shylock and asks him to show mercy but Shylock didn't agree and asked for exact justice as written in the bond. Since there was no mention about a single drop of Antonio's blood being wasted in the bond, Portia asks Shylock to cut the flesh without shredding a drop of blood. If he would shares this drop, he would've charged for attempting murder and half his property would be given to Antonio and the other half to the government. Listening to this Shylock withdraws his cruelty preventing him from feeding from his fat grudge
Shylock is a Jewish usurer who makes profits on his loans, so he resents the merchant Antonio, who lends money interest-free to people, which undercuts Shylock. The rate of usance here with us in Venice. If I can catch him once upon the hip, I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him (Act I, Scene 3, lines 41-47).