justice and mercy

Question 1

irony

Answer 1

christians preach mercy, but show shylock none

Question 2

the quality of mercy is not strained; it…

Answer 2

droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven - argueing for mercy -

Question 3

shakespeare makes the audience question…

Answer 3

if justice is truly fair

Question 4

this …. doth give …. here no …. of …….

Answer 4

denies mercy - not justice but a legal loophole

Question 5

how does shylock link his pursuit to for justice to religion

Answer 5

by refusing to show mercy when the duke encourages it, saying that he must carry out his oath. he sees justice as gaining revenge.

Question 6

what shylock shows mercy when the power fell into portia and the dukes hand and antonio

Answer 6

the duke only gave him a fine instead of taking half of his property and not condemning him to death - weather antonio shows mercy depends on the audiences point of view - many modern audiences would find his punishment cruel, focussing on his conversion, whilst elizebthen audiences would have likely thought shylock was being shows mercy and offered salvation

Question 7

motif

Answer 7

motif of the law - Repeated legal language: “the quality of mercy is not strain’d”, “I demand the law”, “I stand for judgment.”