Justice

Question 1

Failures of Justice 1

Answer 1

mercy seasons justice

• portia

Question 2

Failures of Justice 2

Answer 2

In the course of justice none of us/Should see salvation

• (portia - no one in the court will be forgiven by god unless they show mercy)

act 4 scene 1

Question 3

Failures of Justice 3

Answer 3

the quality of mercy is not strained

• Portia comprehends mercy on the basis of how the Christian elizabethan audience would have understood the difference between old and new testament. In Old, god diplays justice on those who do not keep in line, but in new, god is merciful and offers salvation

Question 4

Poetic justice- symbolic level 1

Answer 4

as thou urgest justice, be assured thou shall have justice more than thou desirest

• P gives S the justice he wants by subjecting him to the full justice of the law

Question 5

Poetic justice- symbolic level 2

Answer 5

i am content

• shylock - a modern audience may see this as poetic justice

Question 6

Poetic justice- symbolic level 3

Answer 6

Antonio offered his ‘soul’ to Bassanio and is rewarded with his ‘life’. also P gives J+L Shylock’s money which L calls ‘manna’

Question 7

literal justice 1

Answer 7

Justice - the law - my ducats - and my daughter. - shylock seeks revenge through justice.

Question 8

literal justice 2

Answer 8

Shylock cannot ‘deny the course of law’ - pointing out the hypocrisy of the Venetian audience who want to deny him justice. A powerful metaphor of nature, imaging justice as a river that cannot be stopped.

Question 9

literal justice 3

Answer 9

it must not be, there is now Power in Venice can alter a decree…it cannot be -

Portia prevents shylock from accepting 2 and 3 times bond. This is out of respect for justice and the law that P gives S the opportunity to show mercy

Question 10

Conclusion

Answer 10

which is the merchant here and which is the jew

portia - she is the symbol of justice all the way through. this quotation shows a lack of prejudice