Home > The Merchant of Venice Summary & Study Guide > The Merchant of Venice Group > Question and Answer

Question:

Answers:

1. 
   lcassidy Teacher
   High School - 12th Grade

   eNotes Editor

   Portia addressed herself to Shylock as a lawyer and pleaded for him to have mercy on the accused.  She was giving him one last chance to show mercy.  This way, the audience could not feel sympathy for the Jew when his punishment incurred.  We must remember that this is a comedy after all.  Of course, she has no effect on Shylock and he demands his pound of flesh.  He reiterates the initial bond and he wants his revenge.  Of course, this does not happen in the end since he is allowed his pound of flesh, but no blood.

   Sources:

   http://www.enotes.com/merchant-of-venice

   Rate answer:

   • Flag as inappropriate

   Posted by lcassidy on Thursday October 8, 2009 at 10:34 AM
   
   

2. 
   madhusudan32 Teacher
   Doctorate

   eNotes Editor

   Portia appears as a lawyer in the court and addresses herself to Shylock advocating the case of Antonio. She tries to impress upon Shylock the significance of mercy. She says  that mercy is an essential trait of human beings. It is spontaneous and justice should be tempered with mercy. But all her efforts and persuasive words fall flat on Shylock as he was adamant on wreaking vengeance on Antonio. Finally, Portia asks Shylock to have a pound of flesh from the chest Antonio as per agreement of loan taken by Antonio but with the condition that not even a single drop of blood should flow from Antonio's body. Since The Merchant Of Venice is a comedy, Portia's speech and the condition mentioned therein jibes well with the play causing deep disappointment in the Jew known for extracting exorbitant rate of interest on the loans given and thriving thereon.

   Rate answer:

   • Flag as inappropriate

   Posted by madhusudan32 on Friday October 9, 2009 at 4:18 AM