... of pity on [Antonio's] losses (IV, I, 27),? showing hismercy and remorse (IV, I, 20).? Encouraging him to take the money instead of a human life, the Duke is trying to resolve the case fairly in a way that benefits Shylock as well as Antonio. He asks Shylock to leavethis fashion of'malice (IV, I, 18)? and ... earthly power doth then show likest God's when mercy seasons justice (IV, I, 191-193).? Pleadinghow shalt thou hope for mercy rendring none? (IV, I, 88),? the Duke reinforces the idea thatmercy?is twice blest?bless[ing] [both] him that gives, and him that takes (IV, I, 180-184).? By ...

• Word Count: 1766
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School

... Shylock and Antonio. At the very beginning of the scene, a slight sense of injustice is induced due to the fact that Antonio is seated and Shylock is standing before the Duke. In a Venetian court of justice, the accused is standing with the accuser seated, not the reverse. This gives the impression that Shylock is the one on trial when in fact ... with the bond and is forced to give up his fortune and to convert from Jewry to Christianity ?To presently become a Christian? The theme of mercy is continued with the Duke showing Shylock mercy - I pardon thee life before thou ask it? The the...

• Word Count: 1866
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School

... in any country and they depended on the mercy of the society that they lived in. Likewise, after he loses the trial, Shylock's life was in the hands of the Duke: If it be proved against an alien He seek the life of any citizen the offender's life lies in the mercy/ of the ... duke only' Shylock is naive in the way that he believes that he can take on the Christians and win when the foundation of Venation law is designed to serve the ... he still has the audience's sympathy because of the unfair and harsh punishment he receives. It strikes a modern day audience as a martyr. Portia uses...

• Word Count: 2283
• Approx Pages: 9
• Grade Level: High School

... to call him a vicious assortment of names like "the Devil."" Throughout the entirety of the play, he is referred to by name only three times; in the trial scene, the Duke calls him by name twice, and by Portia, once. He is most often referred to plainly as "the Jew."" When he isn't called "the Jew,"" he is commonly referred to ... not claim inalienable citizenship in any country and had to depend on the mercy of others. Likewise, after he loses the trial, Shylock's life is in the hands of the duke: "if it be prov'd against an alien He seek the life of any citizen the offender's life lie...

• Word Count: 1557
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... Potia's cousin, a "doctor of law" named Bellario, who was due to show at the court to defend Antonio. In Act 4 scene 1, Portia battles with Shylock to save Antonio's life. The Duke asks Shylock to show mercy and let Antonio live, even though he does not expect it of him. Portia and Nerissa arrive dressed as a lawyer and clerk. Portia is disguised ... which he doth contrive shall seize one half his goods, the other half comes to the privy coffer of the state. The "offender's life lies in the mercy of the duke only." In Act 5. Portia and Nerissa have fun making their husbands feel small a...

• Word Count: 1430
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... as Shylock is the only character who has reasonable argument explaining his contempt. As a comparison to Act 1 Scene three Act 4 Scene one is centred around the theme of mercy. The Duke feels sympathetic and loyal towards Antonio, not only as a friend but as a fellow Christian. However he is completely aware of the fact that there is no way that he can ... ; I will be bound to pay it ten times o"er." When Portia arrives in the scene her first powerful speech reiterates the previous cries for mercy made by Bassanio and the Duke. The audience view Portia in the role of a man. The Elizabeth...

• Word Count: 1305
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... reveals the true nature of Venetian society as insecure, hypocritical and vengeful. Mercy is clearly of greatest importance to the Christians in the text. Two main characters mention it: the Duke and Portia. Mercy is significantly never mentioned by shylock, implying either he does not believe in it or that he sees a hidden motive behind the Christians insistence that he must ... If you wrong us shall we not seek revenge?" (Act3, Sc1, Line54-5 and 62-3) Antonio is a pillar of the community and Shylock is a hated moneylender. This is presented by the Duke's bias attitude towards Antonio....

• Word Count: 1827
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School

... not have been very pleasant because he lives in a country where every Christian regards him as a nobody. After he lost the trial Shylock's life was in the hands of the duke: "if it be prov"d against an alien he seek the life of any citizen the offender's life lies in the mercy/ of the ... duke only." When we were first introduced to Shylock we learn of the abuse that he has suffered at the hands of the Christians. " Many a time and oft in the Rialto ... ...

• Word Count: 1517
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... your grace of what I purpose, And by our holy sabeth I have sworn To have the due and forfeit of my bond." (IV, 1, 35-37) When the bond comes before the duke things go terribly wrong for Shylock. Although Antonio's lawyers offer him more money than initially lent, Shylock will not take the offer. "If every ducat in six thousand ducats Were ... maybe any more or any less than one exact pound, Shylock has no more defense, he knows that they have won, now it his turn to pat the consequences. The Duke and Antonio's lawyers come to a decision, Shylock must forfeit half his wealth to Antonio ...

• Word Count: 1808
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School

... stripped of his name, reduced to something other that human and is compared to the Devil. Shylock is referred to by name only three times: in the trial scene, the Duke twice identifies him by name and Portia does so once. All the other times Shylock is referred to simply as "the Jew". Colorful adjectives often accompany this title, such as ... ...

• Word Count: 1692
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School