Merchant of Venice

Mercy vs. Justice
Since everybody is different, their characteristics are different so the definition of mercy in their opinion is different. Since they are not the same, it is shown that some people do not show any mercy because they have no room for mercy or has very little while others give mercy to many a lot. To imagine such a world where mercy is not shown and just being caught by doing one sin would be the death penalty. In The Merchant of Venice, by William Shakespeare, Shakespeare reveals the idea of mercy through the different scenes in a exciting and interesting way for the readers to keep reading on. Mercy depends on the person and how their characteristic is and also how they are viewed by society that can change their characteristics, therefore changing how they would give their mercy.

The close friendship between Antonio and Bassanio is viewed the opposite of how all Christians view Shylock as a Jew and how they treat Shylock compared to Antonio and Bassanio. Since Venice is full of Christians, they are viewed totally opposite. Shylock who has been mocked, insulted and more is suffering from the despises that he gain from just being a Jew. He is only shown to be the antagonist of the story because of all the hatred he gains from Christians. Despite that he ahs done nothing wrong to these Christians, he is hated as if he has started a war between them, the hatred intensifies as he is despised, insulted, and mocked by the Christians surrounding them with disgust in their eyes. With the conflict between Christians and Jews still arising, the choices that are made in a daily life will always have an effect whether it may bring good or bad luck. Antonio is sad not because he has fallen in love or because all his merchandise are sailing away, but something that makes him sad. Bassanio always taking advantage of his generous and forgiving friend, would borrow money at any time when he wishes, is told to go borrow money fro anyone by using Antonio as his guarantor. The generosity that Antonio has towards Bassanio is unbelievably huge and because of his generosity, many love him.

A choice that is chosen may be able to help them not only at the time of need and crisis at tat time, but other times where it might help you on your path. The choices that many chose always will have consequences and those consequences can either help of bring total bad luck that might ruin lives. Shylock who is mocked and insulted describes what the true character of Antonio is by revealing what Antonio has done to him and how he’s done it in front of Bassanio. Shylock who can no longer take and suffer from all this mockery and prejudice, he takes advantage of the helpless Antonio because of his friend who needs money that Shylock has while Antonio does not. Antonio who does not back down after Shylock who has the advantage of giving Bassanio the money or not to. Shylock lends the money for in return if Antonio fails to pay back at that time, is to get a pound of flesh from Antonio, which would give Shylock amusement and also the revenge against all Christians. Where it’s least expected, is where it strikes and get the bad luck.

Betrayal may bring bad luck to anybody that has not been encountered with that specific person, but the devil who gives the bad luck. Even if people do not meet each other and know each other, bad luck can spread very easily and that can cause grief to others and only some bad luck to others. Jessica who abandons everything she had even her father just to go away with the love of her life. She sends the letter to run away and steal her father’s money. This bad luck transfers over to Antonio as if the devil sided with Shylock to make his vengeance come true. Antonio’s ships sink in the middle of the ocean as the rumors spread, Shylock hears this news from his Jewish friend, Tubal, who tells Shylock about his daughter and also Antonio's ship sinking. Jessica knowing that she going as she might bring suspicion disguises herself to run away with Lorenzo. This intelligence should not be judged by the appearance itself.

Women are the same as men and have more intelligence of the average man so, because of their sex, they should not be judged if they are smarter or not without really giving them a chance to prove themselves as worthy to be equal with men. Antonio who is saved by the intelligence of Portia disguised as a man. Her intelligence to pick out some parts of the contract to make it into her power to change the mind of Shylock taking revenge on Antonio and the Christians. Portia might not be the only person who has keen eyes and sharpness within them. Most of the women are keener then men. Portia lectured Shylock of the contract and that even if there was a little more then a pound of flesh, then his goods were to be confiscated. She is a very intelligent woman who can persuade a person very easily if she does her best.

Shylocks mercy is depended on how his characteristics interact with him and how others treat him. Since he is a Jew, the harsh treatment he gains increases the hatred for these Christians and his mercy decreases dramatically. The close friendship of Antonio and Bassanio is like the unbreakable diamond. Choices always have consequences whether it may be good or bad. Every choice that is made and is bad will bring bad luck upon a person, which may bring huge grief. Women are treated like dogs that should have the equal rights as men. People should never overestimate anything and take anything for granted because of this habit of humans, our hatred overcomes us easily and that allows others to be merciless.