Trial Scene
Shakespeare uses contradictory emotions and beliefs though out the play. He raises many questions about racism and morality. Theses attitudes are relevant to the period the play was written. The play confronts the subject of Christians and Jews. There was great conflict between Christians and Jews, and Shakespeare portrayed this incredibly well thought out his play. Anti- Semitism had been present in England ever since Jews had inhabited the country. Tales were contrived of Jews stealing babies, drinking sacrificial blood, and thieving money. Although at first look at the play it might look Anti-Semitic, as the play develops and the plot unfolds Shakespeare portrays a feeling of remorse towards the Jew Shylock. Shakespeare interpreted theses current beliefs and conflicts into his characters. This ethicized the effect of the play and enabled the audience to understand and become involved in the plot. The Jew is exposed as the evil character in the plot, and the Christians as the heroines. The characters emotions are clear through out the script and peak during the trial scene. This causes some of the characters to become venerable. Portia uses her knowledge of Jurisprudence to exploit these emotions, to her advantage in the trial. She uses cunning tactics to effectively confuse the characters present in the court.