Merchant of Venice - Portia Outwits Shylock in Act IV Scene I

992 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Shakespeares effect on the english langauge essay

Merchant of Venice - Portia Outwits Shylock in Act IV Scene I

"Portia: Have by some surgeon, Shylock, on your charge

To stop his wound, lest he do bleed to death.

Shylock: Is it nominated in the bond?" Act 4 Scene 1 lines 255-257

This is the time that Portia traps Shylock into a corner and saves the life of Antonio at the same instance. Portia builds up her defences as Shylock lets his down as he believes that he is going to gain his pound of flesh from Antonio's breast nearest the heart.

As soon as Portia enters the court room she applies herself to try to cunningly outwit Shylock. When she initially enters the court room she performs the relevant actions performed in the court and automatically turns to interact with Shylock. She highlights that the course of action and the hearing is that of an odd one but she also begins to gain Shylocks trust by stating that

"Portia. . . the Venetian law

Cannot impugn you as you do proceed." Act 4 Scene 1 lines 176-177

This is the beginning of her already constructed action plan to bring Shylock down and to also remove as much of his cruel ways from him.

As Portia weaves her way into Shylock's trust she, at many points, reassures herself that the proceedings are going as she wants them to be. She asks Shylock on line 181 if he wishes to show mercy to Antonio, but he avidly says that he will show no compassion.

Portia then goes onto speak about why Shylock could show mercy and for what reason but with0out pressuring him into this act. He declines the offer. He states that he "Shylock: . . . I crave the law

The penalty and the forfeit of my bond." Act 4 Scene 1 lines 204-205

Portia takes this into account and also makes sure that the clerk that should be writing the proceedings is recording the current events. This gives Portia a fall back and also allows her to later reinforce her point that the Jew showed no consideration for the victim and also that he expresses his want for his bond and forfeiture many times over.

Show More
Related

  • The Evacuation of British Children During World War Two

    765 Words  | 2 Pages

    Reasons Leading to the Evacuation of Children from Britain's Major Cities Early in World War Two

    Read More

  • Free Essays - The Dehumanization of Shylock in Merchant of Venice

    485 Words  | 1 Pages

    In Susan Pharr's "The Common Elements of Oppression", she defines "the other" as the outcast of society, the ones who stand up for what they believe in, no matter how `against the grain' it may be, the ones who try the hardest to earn acceptance, yet never receive it. In Shakespeare's "Merchant of Venice", Shylock, the `villain' is portrayed as the other simply because of his faith, because he is Jewish in a predominantly Christian society.

    Read More

  • William Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew

    1161 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the beginning of the play Kate is “consistently in opposition to everything around her”2, meanwhile “Bianca obeys so gently and with such sweet submission that it is obvious why she is Baptista’s favorite daughter”2. In the end of the play, the roles switch and Katherina is submissive to every word of Petruchio and Bianca resists the commands of her new husband.

    Read More

  • Act 3 scene 3 of William Shakespeare's Othello

    2429 Words  | 5 Pages

    As part of my coursework, I intend to analyze Act 3 scene 3 of the

    Read More

  • The History of Women's Suffrage

    1546 Words  | 4 Pages

    This section on women's history will show the events that led to the suffrage movement and what the outcome was after the movement, plus how those events are involved in today's society. The women of the post suffrage era would not have the ability to the wide variety of professions were it not for their successes in the political arena for that time. In the early 1900’s when women were barred from most professions and limited in the amount of money they could earn, a group of suffragists led by Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton started to develop the women into an influential and powerful leaders of this country. The original women who started the suffrage movement had nothing to build on form former women groups. Therefore these women were the pioneers of the women's movement. The next era of women took the prior teaching of Anthony and Stanton and took it one step further with forming groups of women who not only talked about women's rights but also what they could do for country as well. They final step in the suffrage movement was the making of allies with powerful men who could help them take what they have learned from the earlier groups and combine that with the new concepts to form a powerful gender.

    Read More

  • His Everlasting Moment of Intimacy

    1218 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...the horrific incident of his murder to his dearest Porphyria. Finally, the employment of the clever use of irony serves in proving the persona’s inner madness, as what he thinks and does is contrary to what Porphyria has done earlier prior to her death. Though the persona’s execution of his late lover was done to keep his everlasting moment of intimacy with her, the act was still malevolent and evil, and was a poor and foolish attempt in displaying his own affection for his love. In the end, it greatly epitomized his greediness over keeping Porphyria to himself, and his cruelty by taking away her life for his own benefit.

    Read More

  • The Farcical Elements in Taming of the Shrew

    426 Words  | 1 Pages

    A long time ago, a drunken man fell asleep outside an alehouse. This man, Christopher Sly, was discovered by a mischievous lord who took him into his home. The witty lord then convinced Sly that he was a lord, as well. The lord then put on a play for him. The play, The Taming of the Shrew, was about the two young daughters of Baptista. The youngest daughter, Bianca, wished to wed but her father, Baptista, would not allow this until his eldest daughter, Katherina, was married. Under normal circumstances, it would be easy to find a husband for Katherina with all her beauty, but all her beauty was covered by her shrewd personality. By this time Bianca's suitors were growing very impatient, so they decide to team up and find a husband for Katherina. In jest they mentioned their plan to a friend, Petruchio, who surprisingly agreed to marry Katherina. All her beauty and wealth were enough for him. Katherina reluctantly was wed to Petruchio and she was taken to his home to be tamed. With Katherina out of the way, Bianca was now allowed to marry Lucentio, who offered her father the highest dowry for her. In the final scenes of the play, Katherina proves that she is tamed by winning an obedience contest at a dinner party. Katherina is now even more in accordance with her wifely duties than Bianca. A fare is a type of comedy based on a ridiculous situation. The Taming of the Shrew, an eminent example of a farce, is the first of three farces written by Shakespeare.

    Read More

  • The Campaign for Women’s Suffrage

    1608 Words  | 4 Pages

    The Campaign for Women’s Suffrage. The campaign developed at that time, as it was then the rights of women began to improve. Though women were still thought of as second-class citizens, during the 1870’s the women’s suffrage became a. mass movement. Prior to 1870, there were laws that meant that women were unable to keep any of their earnings once they get married.

    Read More

  • The Nature of Contracts in The Merchant of Venice

    511 Words  | 2 Pages

    The nature of the contract between Portia and her father is as follows, Portia’s father state’s that all suitors must first select on of three caskets in order to marry her. The caskets are made of gold, silver, and base lead, all containing different messages. Only one of the three caske...

    Read More

  • The Theme of Deception in The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare

    375 Words  | 1 Pages

    Words alone are not the only means by which imposters operate. A far more effective mode is one that fools the eye for it cannot pierce through the surface. Portia, the new wife of Antonio's friend, dresses as a lawyer in order to deceive the court. However, unlike Shylock's motive, Portia's intent is far more noble and selfless. She manipulates the law in such a way to save Antonio from certain death by the hand of Shylock. Through the eyes of the law, the imposture of a lawyer, especially by a woman at that time, was seen as extremely illicit.

    Read More

  • Manipulative Portia in Merchant of Venice

    615 Words  | 2 Pages

    is unfolded, the reader sees a wife in love with the husband who was wise enough to earn her love (and consequently her fortune!).  Beware, gentle reader!  Do not fall under the spell of Portia the control freak!  The following scenerios must be proof that this woman is not to be trusted!

    Read More

  • Death And The Great Gatsby Analysis

    1441 Words  | 3 Pages

    She is troubled by her time in captivity, resulting in her not being able to even consider her present and future life or plans. Her memories of the past remain too clear in her mind, and have too much of a large impact on her for her to be able to simply forget them and move on. It’s evident that her character is determined and strong-willed, meaning she doesn’t forgive and forget easily and is prepared to go to extreme extents to get revenge for what has happened to her. Paulina says to Gerardo while talking about her power to kill the man who has raped her and caused her so much misery and grief: “And then I’ll put the gun in my mouth and pull the trigger.” (Dorfman 20) Paulina’s past experiences have had extreme effects on her character, desires and beliefs, that her and her husband, Gerardo, hold an unstable relationship. Paulina needs to try to forget some of her terrible past and live her life without it consuming her, while Gerardo needs to learn to accept what happened to his wife and country, particularly if he wants to succeed in his new position and in his marriage. (GradeSaver, Jessie

    Read More

  • Theme Of Justice In Merchant Of Venice

    1568 Words  | 4 Pages

    In the book, the court case is a great example of side switching from major character’s Portia and Shylock. Portia, who pretends to be a lawyer, seems to be on Shylock’s side during the beginning of the case. “Why, this bond is forfeit, and lawfully by this the Jew may claim a pound of flesh, to be by him cut off nearest the merchant’s heart. -Be merciful; Take thrice thy money; bid me tear the bond.” (Act 4 Scene 1 Lines 239-243) From this quote, it tells us that Portia is on Shylock’s side. The law doesn’t deny the bond’s legality and it seems that Shylock is going to get what he wants. After this, Shylock praises Portia for being a worthy judge. “When it is paid according to the tenor. It doth appear you are a worthy judge; You know the law; your exposition hath been most sound. I charge you by the law, whereof you are a well-deserving pillar, proceed to judgement…” (Act 4 Scene 1 Lines 244-249) Shylock is clear that he thinks that Balthazar(Portia) is a good judge since it is serving his interests of acquiring Antonio’s flesh legally without repercussions. He uses words like worthy, sound, and well-deserving to describe Portia’s actions so far. However, shortly after this part of the court case, Portia shifts

    Read More

  • Theme Of Love In Merchant Of Venice

    1366 Words  | 3 Pages

    She demands to pay twice or even three times the amount owed, for she loves Bassanio and anyone he calls friend. Shakespeare shows here that money doesn’t have the same effect on love as it does with the caskets or with the evil in Shylock and that it can be used for good love in Portia’s donation. In Venice Bassanio brings fourth the 6000 ducats to repay Shylock, but he doesn’t accept it. Once Portia, disguised as the doctor, entered the court, she pleads with Shylock to show mercy, but he refuses. Shylock makes known that he would rather have law than his money and mercy. The doctor approves the pound of flesh to be taken from Antonio under the condition that Shylock must cut exactly one pound while shedding no blood, or he will lose all his lands and goods. Now faced with the impossible, Shylock requests that he take his 6000 ducats and let Antonio go. However, the doctor has already made the call and demands Shylock take the flesh or he will suffer death. Shylock has been so adamant that the law be upheld, but now that it has turned in loves favor, he becomes the victim. Venetian law states that any man who wrongfully attempts to take another man’s life will be subject to lose his own decided by the Duke and will lose all of his possessions. The Duke spares his life, but takes all his goods. Shylock cries out

    Read More

  • Is Shylock a Villain or a Victim?

    860 Words  | 2 Pages

    Shylock lends Antonio a sum of money, that Antonio intends to pay back when his merchant ships arrive in Venice, one month before the debt would be forfeited. When Bassarnio arranges the sum of money, Shylock befriends them, only to stand aside and utter to him self, "I hate him for he is a Christian... If I catch him once upon the hip, I will feed my ancient grudge I bear him," Act 1, Scene 3. Shortly after saying, "But ships are but boards, sailors but men... the perils of waters, winds, and rocks...Three thousand ducats; I think I may take his bond." Shylock is setting his trap here. Shylocks terms of the debt are a pound of Antonios flesh from closets his heart if it be forfeited.

    Read More

More about Merchant of Venice - Portia Outwits Shylock in Act IV Scene I

Open Document