The Merchant of Venice

Shylock and Antonio ended up in the courtroom three months later fighting the case over Shylock's claim on Antonio's flesh. The reason why Antonio's ships had not come back was because they were out at sea shipwrecked, however Antonio did not know this (Antonio had all of money invested in the goods that were on the ship).

Antonio was brought before the Duke to stand trial for failing to pay off his contract with Shylock. When the duke asked Shylock why he wanted Antonio's flesh he could not give an answer, He said, "Can I give no reason, nor I will not." It was simply because of his hatred for Antonio, "More than a lodg'd hate and a certain loathing I bear Antonio," that he would rather have the flesh that twice the money. The Duke asked Shylock how he expected to receive mercy if he would give none. Shylock answered that he had done nothing wrong, he was simply trying to collect what was rightfully his. He argued that if they denied him his right, it would show the uselessness of the Venetian law.

Portia then entered disguised as a young lawyer with a letter of recommendation from Doctor Bellario, who is a famous law doctor, the Duke had asked for judgment on the case. Portia began her case with a plea for mercy, she asked Shylock to take three times the original amount and give up on the bond. Shylock ignored the plea. Portia then asked if no one can pay the amount but since Shylock refused it in favour of taking the flesh, there was nothing she could do about it. "There is no power in Venice can alter a decree established." Portia said that Shylock had the right to claim a pound of flesh from next to Antonio's heart according to the bond. Shylock then got ready to cut to cut his the pound of flesh. Portia asked Shylock if he could have a surgeon ready to stop the bleeding once he had taken his pound of flesh but Shylock replied, "I cannot find it.' Tis not in the bond." Since it was not stated in the bond, he had no responsibility to do so. Just as Shylock was about to cut again, Portia thoughtfully defined a flaw in the exact wording of the bond. The bond only gave Shylock permission take a pound of Antonio's flesh but was not allowed to let Antonio shed a drop of blood. Shylock realized that if he still took the pound of flesh, he would be in trouble with the law because he took more than the bond stated. Shylock decided to take the money that Bassanio was still ready to offer but Portia then did not allow it. She insisted that Shylock could only have what he had demanded; since he refused the chance she had given him before to take the money. "The Jew shall have all the justice; soft! No haste: he shall have anything but the penalty."

Shylock, unable to comply with the condition, tried to withdraw his case. Portia forced Shylock to remain in the court. She stated that Venice had a further law stated that if any foreigner tried to kill a Venetian directly or indirectly, the foreigner would be forced to forfeit all that he owns. Half of the property would go to the Venetian against whom he plotted (Antonio), and the state will receive the other half. However, Antonio requested that Shylock had to convert to a Christian and all that he owned had to go to Jessica and Lorenzo after his death. Shylock could do nothing but accept the terms.

The Christian attitude towards the Jews is very bad, especially as the Jews have done nothing wrong to them. Shylock was not treated fairly because he is a Jew. Although he wanted Antonio's life, it could be justified in a way because Antonio and many other Christians did him wrong many times in the past and at one point what Antonio was being racist to him, Shylock defended himself by saying "If you prick us do we not bleed." Shylock is trying to say that be are both human, we both bleed so why do you treat us in this way?