The Merchant of Venice

At the beginning of the court scene, before shylock is allowed to enter the courtroom. The Duke (judge) publicly shows his hatred towards Shylock to the other court members.

" A stony adversary, an inhuman wretch

Incapable of pity, void and empty

From any dram of mercy"

We know straight away from this quotation that shylock is going to get a biased trial during the scene. We can tell that even though nobody likes shylock, there is nothing they can do to stop him from hurting Antonio. Shylock enjoys having this power over the courtroom, even more so, that it is ironic to him because a Jew would not normally have this privilege in that period of time.

At this point during the play no persuasion can stop Shylock from trying to get his way. Shylock is determined to get his bond, because he has been tormented and picked at in the past,

" You call me, cut throat dog,

And spit upon my Jewish Gabardine...."

" You that did void your rheum upon my beard,

And foot me as you spurn a stranger cur."

The audience's sympathies would be more for Antonio, even though slight sympathy for shylock is present, due to all the years of hatred and abuse that he has faced. When the duke and Bassanio ask Shylock why he would not take the three thousand ducats offered to him in return for Antonio in one piece, shylock gives no other reason than that he hates Antonio and likens him to a rat.

" You'll ask me why I rather choose to have

A weigh of carrion flesh, than to receive

Three thousand ducats. I'll not answer that,

But say it is my Humour; it is answered?

What if my house be troubled with a rat

And I be pleased to give Three thousand ducats

To have it baned?......"

Shylock is referring to his house, as his life and Antonio, as an irritation in hi life and he has to get rid of it.

Suspense during this scene is erratic. But suspense builds up the most when Portia arrives, disguised as a doctor of law.

In the times it was illegal for woman to have an occupation in any part of the law. Portia deliberately puts herself in danger of being exposed throughout the play, the audiences thoughts are, "will she get caught or won't she" this is a big tension builder. Nerrisa, Portia's maid dresses as a clerk, she too puts herself in danger for the sake of her husbands friend.

When Portia first addresses shylock. She calls him by his real name, a sign of respect, instead of Jew, a sign of disrespect. Therefore, shylock automatically assumes that Portia is on his side. The audiences thoughts are confused " why is she being nice to shylock?" She firstsuggests to shylock that he must show mercy and gives her definition of the word.

" The quality of mercy is not strained

It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven

Upon the place benaeath. It is twice blest,

It blesseth him that gives, and him thaaat takes"

Shylock still does not give in, and so Portia asks to look at the bond . she says that there is nothing that can be done for shylock