i.95-9).
Here Portia is arguing that Shylock should always consider the human aspect of things noting that if God can have mercy on mankind, the very least that men could do is have mercy upon one another. Portia shows mercy toward Shylock when she allows him a way out of his bond. This action works to her benefit when he does not want to change his position. Portia's performance in court is one to be admired because she gives Shylock every opportunity to change his mind and have a little mercy upon Antonio. His stubbornness is emphasized when he refuses to budge and insists on carrying out the law. Portia is too clever for him, however, and when he realizes that he cannot take a pound of flesh without a drop of blood, he wishes to change the plan. With irony, Shakespeare illustrates how adhering to the law while overlooking mercy can be a huge mistake because the law of man's compassion should at least be considered before the law of the land. It only seems fitting that Portia not let Shylock off the hook so easily because he not only needs to experience justice but he also needs to experience the need for mercy.
In order for us to appreciate Portia's pleas, Shakespeare has crafted Shylock to be a rather complex, yet despicable, character. He is prideful and he enjoys being self-absorbed. His complexity is revealed with his mixed reactions toward Antonio. For instance, he first hates Antonio admitting, "I hate him for he is a Christian;/but more for that in low simplicity/He lends out money on gratis" (I.iii.39-41). Yet later,...
As things are in the play, the text proves to be much more complicated. Thus, one significant element is Prospero's magic art and his powers. His great lore and his art give him an unusual power over the island and the people on it. Thus, after completing his act of justice, Prospero relinquishes his powers symbolically burying his 'staff' and drowning his book: "But this rough magic / I here
Instead, the commission offers as a compromise more humane treatment of refugees. ("Migration Amendment," Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, 2006, p.1) But while this may be a laudable effort, it shows that the creation of a perfect schema of justice will always be lacking, as by an accident of birth certain individuals will have access to better opportunities, housing, and a quality of life. Even legally, refugees are deemed
After Hamlet has killed Polonius and Laertes has returned from Paris demanding satisfaction, Hamlet justly observes "by the image of my cause, I see the portraiture of his." It is the contrasts between these three characters which give significance to the parallelisms. The intelligent, sensitive Hamlet and the hot-headed Machiavellian Laertes perish on the same poisoned foil, leaving the kingdom to the cool-headed Norwegian, who has been a shrewder contriver
Hamlet" by William Shakespeare The play "Hamlet" by William Shakespeare has a story that revolves around the main themes of revenge and search for the truth. Shakespeare's male characters, in particular, are portrayed somewhat villainously because of the element of revenge inherent in each character's motivations in the play. Among the male characters in the play, the characters of Hamlet, Laertes, and Fortinbras emerge as the most remarkable among the
Merchant of Venice: Queen Elizabeth vs. Portia There are a number of similarities that exist between Queen Elizabeth of England and William Shakespeare's character Portia in his play The Merchant of Venice. Both women had a good amount of money and power; although Portia was not royalty, she was still a wealthy heiress in the city of Belmont. Because of the money and power associated with these women, they each had
Also, the role of the Duke would not be as prominent if the city of Venice would not have been selected for the majority of the activity of the play. The city in itself ensures a certain aura that traditional cultural life as well as the fame of a modern, yet traditional in many instances cities, that provides the story a special twist, embedded in culture, yet modern in
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