Merchant of Venice: Injustice and Revenge
A Serving of Injustice with a Side of Revenge:
The Merchant of Venice
During the Venetian era in which The Merchant of Venice takes place, the law is heavily depended on among society. Within the law, it is asserted that justice must be shown impartially to both parties and that the outcome will be a just balance for the good of society. Within this play lies a court case between two parties, Antonio and Shylock, where justice must be served to abide by the laws and to the contracted agreement made between them. A legal agreement in which a pound of Antonio’s flesh is demanded as payment in regards to a money loan given out by Shylock that was not paid back. The court case serves as a principle of justice for the good of society but unrevealed personal retribution is seen within the character of Shylock. The court case in a whole is a representation of justice being served but in reality the outcome is tainted by partiality and revenge.
Revenge is a sweet theme revealed within the character of Shylock, a Jewish moneylender in Venice who has been mistreated by his Christian counterparts. The personal toll that Shylock has taken on with criticisms and disrespect from the Christians in Venice such as, “You call me misbeliever, cutthroat dog, and spit upon my Jewish gabardine, And all for use of which is mine own” (1.3 109-112) and “ You spit on me on Wednesday last, You spurned me such a day another time. You called me dog and for these courtesies I’ll lend you thus much moneys?” (1.3 124-127). Shylock shows that he has good reason to have a cold heart towards the character of Antonio who is asking for a loan of money. A way that Shylock can out think Antonio is by having a legal contract between them stating that if the money is not paid back in thirty days, a pound of Antonio’s flesh must be the fine. The pound of flesh represents a form of revenge for Shylock because he despises Antonio so much that he would demand a personal debt to be paid (possibly his
The Merchant of Venice
During the Venetian era in which The Merchant of Venice takes place, the law is heavily depended on among society. Within the law, it is asserted that justice must be shown impartially to both parties and that the outcome will be a just balance for the good of society. Within this play lies a court case between two parties, Antonio and Shylock, where justice must be served to abide by the laws and to the contracted agreement made between them. A legal agreement in which a pound of Antonio’s flesh is demanded as payment in regards to a money loan given out by Shylock that was not paid back. The court case serves as a principle of justice for the good of society but unrevealed personal retribution is seen within the character of Shylock. The court case in a whole is a representation of justice being served but in reality the outcome is tainted by partiality and revenge.
Revenge is a sweet theme revealed within the character of Shylock, a Jewish moneylender in Venice who has been mistreated by his Christian counterparts. The personal toll that Shylock has taken on with criticisms and disrespect from the Christians in Venice such as, “You call me misbeliever, cutthroat dog, and spit upon my Jewish gabardine, And all for use of which is mine own” (1.3 109-112) and “ You spit on me on Wednesday last, You spurned me such a day another time. You called me dog and for these courtesies I’ll lend you thus much moneys?” (1.3 124-127). Shylock shows that he has good reason to have a cold heart towards the character of Antonio who is asking for a loan of money. A way that Shylock can out think Antonio is by having a legal contract between them stating that if the money is not paid back in thirty days, a pound of Antonio’s flesh must be the fine. The pound of flesh represents a form of revenge for Shylock because he despises Antonio so much that he would demand a personal debt to be paid (possibly his
Cited: Shakespeare, William, and David M. Bevington. "The Merchant of Venice." The Necessary Shakespeare.3rd ed. New York: Longman, 2002. 79-112. Print.