Mercy vs Justice

What does it mean?

Mercy: leniency, compassion, kindness or forgiveness given to somebody you have authority over Justice: fairness, impartiality/validity in law/with sound reasoning, people get what they deserve.

Why the conflict?

They cannot be simultaneously applied. If one shows justice towards, eg. a murderer, he/she would be sentenced. But if one were to show mercy, then one would naturally let him/her off, and would that be justice to the victim?

What does it mean in MoV?

The law in Venice does not leave space for mercy.

Portia: as a mutual benefit (‘him that gives and him that takes’), divine (‘an attribute…god himself’), redeeming

Shylock: considers retribution as important, a choice, goes by the book (perhaps only because it benefits him)

Antonio, as a Christian, is expected to exercise mercy towards Shylock

Shylock, as a Jew, is thought to be unable to show compassion.

But that is not what happens in the ending, when Antonio and Portia, despite speaking at length of the importance of mercy, do not show it to Shylock.

When is this theme displayed?Most importantly, ACT 4

-Shylock refuses to show mercy to Antonio-Portia’s mercy vs justice speech-Everyone (duke, portia, etc.)in the end

does not show mercy to Shylock, despite all that was said before the prejudice between the Christians and the Jews—Antonio and Shylock (mercy and fairness is not shown in both words, actions and mentality)(eg. Act2scene8, Venetians mock Shylock but sympathise with Antonio

Portia and Nerissa are merciless in their criticism of suitors (not fair to them)—prejudice & lack of mercy/justice. Casket scene(no second chance)—no mercy once choice is made?Not fair in the first place for Shylock to insist on the bond regarding a pound of flesh? Does not understand Antonio’s situationNo mercy between Jessica/Shylock (actions and comments)—also no fairness, no right to make her choice?

However, the other instances show either justice/mercy.

ACT 4 sharply contrasts both of them, thus bringing out this theme very well.

The outcome of Act 4 would most probably not turn out any other way, as the prejudice is deeply etched in Venetian society.

What do the characters think of it?

Most of characters have one-sided views on this, blinded by prejudice. Portia—sees mercy as ‘mightiest in the mightiest’, and urges Shylock that ‘in the course of justice none of us should see salvation’, but goes with what Antonio suggestsAntonio—appears merciful, however demands his entire fortune, to ‘become a Christian’, and gives all his possessions to Jessica and Lorenzo. People are biased, thus think it’s not muchGratiano—not merciful: ‘a halter gratis!’ for ShylockDuke—represents justice, follows word of law

It is also influenced by the point-of-view.

Eg. Christians might think they are giving justice to Antonio, while Jews think they are letting Antonio off, being merciful, based on how they view each other as higher/lower.

Our reflections!Entire story was written slanted to Christians, so things are seen from their point of view, thus also affecting whether justice/mercy is given. In fact, the Jew’s opinions are understandable, and Christians would certainly not be persecuted the way Jews are. It’s sometimes a very difficult situation we have to grapple with, subjective.We believe this theme also allows the conflict between the Christians and Jews to be expressed well, and we can tell a lot about their character from this.

THANK YOU!