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Merchant Of Venice Act 3 Reflection

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(To Be Graded) Act 3: Reflection 1

From Scenes 1 and 3 in Act 3, Shylock’s materialistic, merciless and vengeful character, as well as his deep hatred for Antonio, is clearly shown. In addition, my understanding and pity towards Shylock have also deepened when we discover the reasons behind his attitude towards Antonio and money, that he is actually a victim of bigotry and prejudice.

Initially, I thought of Shylock as a greedy Jewish moneylender, and was deserving of the criticism he received. However, in Act 3 Scene 1, Shylock delivers his famous soliloquy: "Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions? Fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, healed by the same means, warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer, as a Christian is? If you prick us, do we not …show more content…

This can be seen from Portia’s, then Balthazar, attempt to convince Shylock to let Antonio off, saying, “The quality of mercy is not strained. It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath. It is twice blessed: It blesseth him that gives and him that takes. 'Tis mightiest in the mightiest. It becomes the thronèd monarch better than his crown. His scepter shows the force of temporal power, the attribute to awe and majesty wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings, but mercy is above this sceptered sway. It is enthronèd in the hearts of kings. It is an attribute to God himself. And earthly power doth then show likest God’s when mercy seasons justice. Therefore, Jew, though justice be thy plea, consider this— that in the course of justice none of us should see salvation. We do pray for mercy, and that same prayer doth teach us all to render the deeds of mercy. I have spoke thus much to mitigate the justice of thy plea, which if thou follow, this strict court of Venice must needs give sentence 'gainst the merchant

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