In Shakespeare’s play The Merchant of Venice, Shylock and Antonio make a contract in which Antonio will lose a pound of his flesh if he does not pay back money borrowed for Bassanio. The two men verbally solidify the bond and Shylock takes the contract to the notary.
What was the agreement made by Shylock?
Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice turns on the interpretation of a contract between Shylock and Antonio [1]. The contract stipulates that if Antonio does not pay back the money lent to him, Shylock is entitled to a pound of flesh.
What agreement did Shylock had to sign before leaving the court?
Quietly, Shylock agrees to the settlement: “I am content,” he says, and asks permission to leave the court. The duke invites Portia to dinner, but she declines; she also declines Bassanio’s offer of three thousand ducats as her legal fee.
What was the law of Venice in Merchant of Venice?
The Law. The Merchant of Venice depends heavily upon laws and rules—the laws of the state of Venice and the rules stipulated in contracts and wills. Laws and rules can be manipulated for cruel or wanton purposes, but they are also capable of producing good when executed by the right people.
What was the law of Venice?
The laws of Venice state that if a foreign resident directly or indirectly attempts to kill any citizen, the person he tried to kill will receive one half of the foreigner’s goods. The other half goes to the state. Whether the offending person lives or dies is up to the duke—there’s no one else to appeal to.
Is Shylock a villain or a victim?
Shylock is a combination of both victim and villain in The Merchant of Venice. He is a victim of discrimination and mistreated by Antonio and his daughter, Jessica. Shylock’s greedy, vengeful nature is what makes him a villain, which helps drive the plot of the play.
Why did Shylock not temper justice with mercy?
Shylock realizes an opportunity to make a nobleman suffer as he feels he has and he refuses to bend and be merciful when society has not been merciful to him.
Does Shylock convert to Christianity?
Portia orders Shylock to beg for the duke’s mercy. … Shylock claims that they may as well take his life, as it is worthless without his estate. Antonio offers to return his share of Shylock’s estate, on the condition that Shylock convert to Christianity and bequeath all his goods to Jessica and Lorenzo upon his death.
What is the main message of Merchant of Venice?
The main theme of The Merchant of Venice is the conflict between self interest and love. On the surface level, the major difference between Shylock the Jew and the Christian characters of the play is their level of compassion.
How does Shylock lose his case at the end?
If Shylock takes a drop of Christian blood from Antonio, then the law of Venice states that Venice can confiscate his land and goods. Shylock has already refused the offer in court, and he will receive only the law, just as he asked for. … Shylock loses the case and his dignity. Justice eventually comes out triumphantly.
How were Portia and Nerissa dressed?
In the Merchant of Venice we find the disguise not in all the play but in a very important part of it. Those who are disguised are Portia and Nerissa. Portia disguises herself as a male then assumes the role of a lawyer’s apprentice whereby she saves the life of Bassanio’s friend, Antonio, in court.
Why does Portia deny changing the law?
Answer: Portia rejects Bassanio’s suggestion. She asserts that there is no power in Venice which change law. It will set a bad precedent and this example will be quoted in future to do wrong things.
Why did Bassanio marry Portia?
Bassanio, Antonio’s friend, wants to marry the lady of Belmont, Portia, but he needs a large amount of money to compete with other suitors seeking her hand in marriage. … Bassanio goes to Belmont, and he is able to propose to Portia because he passes her deceased father’s test.
Why does gratiano call Portia a second Daniel?
So, when Portia, disguised as a lawyer, says “it cannot be” that Bassanio is allowed to save Antonio, because it would establish a bad precedent, Shylock is delighted. He calls Portia a “Daniel,” after the Biblical Daniel, who was known as a wise judge.
Who said the laws of Venice Cannot be altered?
Shylock was confident that no one could take away his right to forfeiture. Since, they strict exposition of the law of Venice permits it. Portia, the lawyer has already stated that the law cannot be altered to save Antonio as it would set forth bad precedents in the administration of justice. 6.
How does Portia trap Shylock?
Portia then gives Shylock a knife to retrieve the pound of flesh but mentions that the law will not allow a drop of blood. She tells Shylock that if Antonio bleeds during the operation, the Venetian court is entitled to confiscate his land and property.