Question

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:

Bassanio:  And, I beseech you, Wrest once the law to your authority. To do a great right, do a little wrong, and curb this cruel devil of his will. Portia:  It must not be. There is no power in Venice Can alter a decree established: “I will be recorded for a precedent,

1. Who is on trial?
   Why is this person on trial?     [3]
2. Explain in your own words Bassanio’s request to portia in the given extract.
   What reason does he give for his request?    [3]
3. How does Portia respond to Bassanio's request? What TWO reasons does she give for her response?   [3]
4. Who does Bassanio refer to as ‘this cruel devil’? What is this person's response to Portia’s words in the given extract?   [3]
5. How is the ‘cruel devil’ punished at the end of the trial?
   How fair, in your opinion, is this punishment? Justify your response.   [4]

Answer 1

1. The person on trial in this extract from William Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice" is Antonio.
   Antonio is on trial because he failed to repay a loan he had secured from Shylock, a Jewish moneylender. In their agreement, Shylock stipulated a harsh penalty in case of default: Antonio would have to give Shylock a pound of his own flesh. Because Antonio was unable to fulfill the terms of the bond, due to his ships, believed to be lost at sea, not returning with goods and profits, Shylock demands that the terms of the bond be enforced, leading to this trial to determine whether Shylock is legally entitled to claim his gruesome repayment.

2. In the extract from "The Merchant of Venice," Bassanio is appealing to Portia, who is disguised as a lawyer, to bend the law slightly in order to achieve a greater moral good. His plea, "To do a great right, do a little wrong," suggests that he is asking Portia to slightly overstep the strict boundaries of the law to prevent a grave injustice, which in this context is allowing Shylock to take a pound of Antonio's flesh as per their bond.

   Reason for Bassanio's request: Bassanio's reason for this request is his desperate desire to save his friend Antonio from a lethal penalty. He argues that the law, while technically on Shylock's side, morally supports Antonio. Thus, he believes that committing a small legal wrong (altering the enforcement of the law) would serve a greater justice by saving Antonio’s life and curbing Shylock’s malicious intent, whom he refers to as "this cruel devil of his will." This reflects the tension in the play between rigid adherence to the law and the need for compassionate justice.

3. In the given extract from "The Merchant of Venice," Portia responds to Bassanio's plea by firmly stating that it is not possible to alter the law to fit their needs. Her response is clear and unequivocal: the law cannot be twisted or bent, even for a seemingly good cause.

   Two reasons Portia gives for her response:

   1. Legal Integrity: Portia asserts that there is no power in Venice that can change a decree once it has been established. This emphasizes the importance of the rule of law and the integrity of the legal system, which must remain consistent and unaltered to maintain its authority and fairness.

   2. Precedent: Portia mentions that any deviation from the law would be recorded as a precedent. This highlights her concern about the long-term consequences of bending the law. If they make an exception in this case, it could set a dangerous precedent, potentially leading to future abuses of legal authority where the law could be similarly manipulated for personal or emotional reasons.
      Together, these reasons underline Portia's commitment to upholding the law as it is written, emphasizing the principles of justice and legal consistency over emotional appeals, even in situations where the outcome may seem morally harsh.

4. In the given extract from "The Merchant of Venice," Bassanio refers to Shylock as "this cruel devil." He uses this phrase to express his view of Shylock's harsh and unforgiving insistence on claiming a pound of Antonio's flesh as repayment for the defaulted loan, which Bassanio sees as malevolent and merciless.

   As for the response to Portia’s words in this specific extract, the response of Shylock is not included. However, throughout the trial scene, Shylock consistently asserts his rights under the bond and demands the law be followed to the letter, showing no willingness to compromise or show mercy. His stance is rigid and unyielding, focused solely on obtaining what he believes is legally his due, regardless of the moral implications or the potential for human suffering it entails.

5. In "The Merchant of Venice," the 'cruel devil' that Bassanio refers to is Shylock, the Jewish moneylender. By the end of the trial, Shylock is subjected to significant punishment:
   1. 
      
      1. Forfeiture of Wealth: Initially, Shylock insists on extracting a pound of flesh from Antonio as per their bond, but Portia, disguised as the young lawyer Balthazar, turns the law against him. She points out that while the bond allows Shylock to remove the flesh, it does not permit him to shed any of Antonio's blood. Realizing that it is impossible to take the flesh without shedding blood, Shylock attempts to settle for the repayment of the loan instead. However, Portia further reveals that Shylock has attempted to take the life of a Venetian citizen, which under Venetian law allows the state to confiscate half of Shylock’s wealth, giving it to Antonio, and the other half to the state.
      2. Conversion Requirement: Moreover, as part of his punishment and as a condition of not losing his entire wealth and facing execution, Shylock is forced to convert to Christianity, a deeply humiliating and identity-stripping requirement for him, given his strong adherence to his Jewish faith.
      3. Legal Perspective: From a strictly legal standpoint, the punishment adheres to the laws of Venice, which protect its citizens and prescribe penalties for those who threaten their lives. Shylock, by insisting on a literal interpretation of the bond, puts himself at risk of these laws.
      4. Moral and Ethical Perspective: Morally and ethically, the punishment can be seen as harsh and excessive. Forcing Shylock to convert to Christianity is particularly severe, as it directly assaults his identity and dignity. This aspect of his punishment reflects the religious prejudices of the time and is arguably unfair and inhumane, showing a lack of respect for personal beliefs and religious freedom.
      5. Thematic Perspective: Thematically, the punishment serves to underscore themes of mercy, justice, and revenge within the play. Shakespeare may be using these outcomes to highlight the dangers of both mercy that is too rigid (Shylock's refusal to forgive the debt) and justice that turns into vengeance (the Christians’ treatment of Shylock).