Theme Of Justice In Merchant Of Venice

When most people think of justice, it commonly brings forward the words positivity, fairness, law, order, and other familiar words. However, in the Merchant of Venice, this is not the case. Justice is used negatively in a court case that reverses from putting Antonio, the convicted Christian merchant, on trial to Shylock, the Jewish money loaner asking for justice, to be put on trial. In the play, both mercy and justice are rejected because of the obvious influential bias that the character’s actions portray.

In the play, the characters Shylock and Portia both attempt to do what they personally perceive as ‘moral’ in different situations. Justice in this book is defined as people get what they deserve, while mercy is given off as offering

You have among you many a purchased slave, which, like your asses and your dogs and mules, You use in abject and in slavish parts because you bought them.....You will answer “The slaves are ours!” So do I answer you: The pound of flesh which I demand of him is dearly bought; tis mine and I will have it.” (Act 4 Scene 1, Lines 90-101) Here in this quote, it is clearly stated that Shylock believes Christians are allowed to buy slaves and own them within the law. Justice would mean that by his bond with Antonio, Shylock owns a piece of Antonio’s flesh. Therefore, legally and justly, Shylock technically owns Antonio’s flesh.As for mercy, the character that this comes from is Portia. Portia in defining mercy, says this: The quality of mercy is not strained. It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven. Upon the place beneath.....The throned monarch better than his crown. His scepter shows the force of temporal power, the attribute to awe and majesty wherein doth sit the dread of fear of kings; it is an attribute to God himself; And earthly power doth then show likest God’s when mercy seasons justice.” (Act 4 Scene 1 Lines 190-202) Portia is talking about how even high kings and gods would have mercy deep in their hearts, while Shylock doesn’t. Portia

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