Justice and Mercy

1.Is there true justice? Why?

Justice and mercy is a basic theme in the Merchant of Venice. If reflects the trial scene in Act 4 Scene 1 which considered as one of the most thrilling and exciting scene in this Shakespeare’s play. It shows the different aspect of people about whether they stand on the side of justice or mercy. The trial case and courtroom proceedings are often questioned and analyzed by experts to find out whether there is equality shown in the courtroom. If we follow the laws and the bond between Shylock and Antonio, the proceedings seems to be in pace and fair. Everything was judged according to the law and bond. For instance, Shylock wanted justice and so the court showed him by giving him only a “pounded of flesh” according to the bond. To suit the law and act upon “justice”, Portia disguised as a guy permitted Shylock to take only a pound of flesh, no exceeding or lesser than the one pound amount, without dropping a single Christian blood. This may sound ridiculous and preposterous as how can we claim other people’s flesh without dripping a single blood? But once again, it is according to the bond, the bond do not state Shylock can let blood to drop. According to the law again, if one Jew wants to take the live of a Christian but fail, he must either convert to Christian or be executed. Thus, a Venetian law was enacted during the trial as appose to the fail attempt of Shylock taking a Christian’s live. However, there may be no justice in the court. How can we explain Portia’s disguise as a man to save her husband’s friend live? In fact, female gender is strictly not allowed in the court in that time, however we see Portia offend the law and make judgments on the case, manipulating it. Therefore, overall I think there is justice to a certain extent shown in the scene.

2. Is there true mercy, as expounded by Portia? Why?

There is certainly mercy as expounded by Portia. We can’t wholly deny the existence of mercy that is meted to Shylock and conclude Portia is evil and cruel. In the first place, Portia does show mercy to Shylock three times. However, Shylock doesn’t want to accept the offer and stick to his bond, which he wants justice. The final judgment then gives him the “justice” he seeks, he was forced to either convert to Christianity or choose to die. Again here, Portia shows her mercy and offers him a path to live. There is indeed true mercy by Portia, some of her offers do reflect her soft heart in her, giving chances to a Jew.

3. Justice and Law can be manipulated by people in power. Comment on this with reference to the text and other real-life cases and examples.

Justice and Law can be manipulated by people in power. People with high authorities and ranks have the power to manipulate the law such as turning the tide of cases or showing bias to a side. The manipulation sometimes come with some reasons like mercy. As similar, manipulation was done by Portia in the act to show some mercy to Shylock. Portia held on to the authorities and power, thus she was able to manipulate the situation in the courtroom. Strictly speaking, if Portia were to follow the law exactly, in the end Antonio was the one who is going to pay for his longing debt, and Shylock can claim a pound of flesh from Antonio. However, using her intelligence and manipulative mind, she managed to change to turn the tides and reverse the situation to that in the end Shylock is the one who suffers. This shows how justice and law can be manipulated. In order to save her husband’s friend, she twisted the situation a bit and won the case for him. Besides, in the end Shylock was supposed to either convert to Christianity or die but Portia and the Duke showed him mercy and requested him to transfer all his money to his daughter Jessica and son-in-law Lorenzo and tear the bond. To show mercy, Portia and the Duke use their power to adjust the law somehow. In real life cases and examples, there is the Lockerbie bomber case. He had been released from prison recently, and was permitted to go back his hometown as he had prostate cancer and his live was at stake. This decision made by the court inevitably arouse the feelings of some crowds as they believed Lockerbie should die in his own prison to pay the debt of his bombing that cause around hundred of deaths. Still, the authorities chose to let him go and show some mercy, because they think he has the right to visit his hometown one last time before his arrival of death. The judge considers the feelings and trauma undergoing by Lockerbie and feels that he deserve the mercy given. It is certain that people with power do have the abilities to manipulate justice and law, but its often serve with the purpose mercy. In order to show mercy, justice has to be manipulated in some way.