MERCHANT OF VENICE

“TRIAL SCENE”
Play by William Shakespeare

Act IV, Scene I of William Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice involves the climactic court scene
in which Shylock and Antonio confront one another, in person, before Portia, who will determine
Antonio's fate.

Antonio was brought before the Duke of Venice to stand trial for failing to pay off his obligation
to Shylock. The Duke was upset about the penalty, a pound of Antonio's flesh, but cannot find
any lawful way of freeing Antonio from his bond. Bassanio then came forward and offered
shylock six thousand ducats as compensation of loan but shylock refused to accept. Shylock
compared his contract with Antonio with the Christian slave trade. He raised an argument by
saying that when he does not demand that Christian should free slave so Christians must not
demand for Antonio’s release. But Portia, by her cleverness saved Antonio. She said that the
bond does not give permission to shed Antonio’s blood. There was a law in Venice which stated
that if any Venetian's blood is shed then state will confiscate all the goods and lands of the
wrongdoer. Shylock realized and agreed to take the money instead. However, Portia was not
willing to back down and instead only gave him the pound of flesh by saying that if he takes a
tiny bit more or less he will be put to death himself. Shylock decided to withdraw his case. Portia
said that Venice has a further law which says that if any foreigner tries to kill a Venetian, the
foreigner will have half of his property go to the Venetian against whom he plotted, and the state
will receive the other half. In addition, the life of the foreigner will be in the hands of the Duke,
who may decide to do whatever he wants to. Shylock was forced to kneel on the ground before
the court, but the Duke pardons his life before he can beg for mercy.