William Shakespeares lucid depiction of Portia and Shylocks opinions in A Merchant of Venice allow readers to adequately lend the voice of these characters to contemporary views of justice. In A Masque of Mercy, Robert Frost says, Nothing can make injustice just but mercy. This prolific statement can be phrased as a question: When applied to an unjust situation, does mercy rectify that situation and make it just? Not surprisingly, Shylock and Portias likely responses to this question are starkly different. In fact, both views, despite being opposites of each other, are correct. The judgment and severity used in one case cannot be transposed with the clemency and reasoning granted in another.
Based on Shakespeares portrayal of Shylock in A Merchant of Venice, Shylock would disagree with Robert Frosts statement. Furthermore, during Antonios trial, the Duke asks Shylock how he expects mercy to be shown unto him if he does not show mercy to others. Shylock curtly retorts, What judgment shall I dread, doing no wrong? He believes that by citing a legal document in the case against Antonio (who previously snubbed him), who has broken his word and the bond, his methods are just; although he is motivated by merciless vengeance, his actions are plausible. He seeks the full measure of Venetian law, undiluted by mercy. Oddly enough, Shylocks reasoning is not rooted in the law which he craves (pp. 69, 19). He is incapable of being merciful. The merchant explains his rationale: As there is no firm reason to be renderd, / So can I give no reason, nor I will not, / More than a lodged hate and a certain loathing (pp. 64-65). He cannot explicitly state what drives his actions; there is no negotiating with a man who does not the reason behind his exploits. Therefore, in this case, revenge and mercy can never coexist.
In contrast to Shylocks response to Frosts quote, Portia would agree that mercy is needed to rectify an unjust situation. Portia attempts to convince Shylock to show mercy:
The quality of mercy is not strained, []
in the course of justice, none of us
Should see salvation: we do pray for mercy;
And that same prayer doth teach us all to render
The deeds of mercy.
She draws her arguments from the way Christians of Shakespeares time understood the Bible. The Old Testament, which Shylock believes in, promotes the notion that God punishes those who do not strictly adhere to his Word, and exacts severe punishment upon those who stray from commandments and rules. As a Christian, Portia agreed with the New Testaments emphasis of the spirit of the law rather than written law. She believes God offers salvation to those who have been tempted to do wrong and is forgiving, as opposed to quick to exact judgment. Because Portias pleadings for mercy to Shylock were from the perspective of a Christian, it is easier to understand why she would be such an advocate for mercy to correct what she believes to be an injustice. Justice does not result in the deliverance of souls. According to Portia, mercy brings about justice because it protects against a closed-minded, absolute view of justice (like that of Shylock who was just, but blinded by hate and the lust for Antonios blood).
I believe that the primary definition of justice is the letter of the law, not the spirit of it. I do not agree wholeheartedly with Shylocks thinking that he should replay villainy with villainy, but unconditional mercy is not always right (pp. 43, 2-3). For example, many consider justice to be served when a serial murderer is captured and sentenced to life in prison or worse. In this situation, leniency would not be considered. Thus, mercy is not a necessary component of justice, but rather a compliment; they may be able to coexist on a case by case basis.
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