Week 5 Blog Prompt: MOV
By the end of the trial scene, do you think true justice and mercy was achieved? Reflect and write on the following questions.
1. Is there true justice? Why?
I feel that there is true justice. First, we will have to define what is justice. Based from the dictionary, justice is rightfulness or lawfulness, as of a claim or title; justness of ground or reason. The trial scene shows us that the law was not changed and the law still applied in the trial scene. The bond was not changed and Shylock had what he wanted. However, there was a twist of words by Portia but still, no law or bond was being changed. Hence, there was true justice being exercised in the trial scene.
2. Is there true mercy, as expounded by Portia? Why?
There may or may not be true mercy as it depends on how we view it. Antonio wanted to make Shylock into a Christian. Some may say that this is because Antonio wanted to help him or some others would say it is because of the amount of hatred Antonio has to Shylock. If we take it that Antonio sincerely wants to help Shylock, Antonio did that so that Shylock would be prevented from further ridicule by others but if we take it the other way, Antonio wanted to change Shylock's religion as it would be the worst thing to do as it was the last thing Shylock could have thought of, therefore, there are many ways to see to it. Another matter would be that Shylock had to give up his fortunes where half of it goes to Jessica and Lorenzo. I think this is quite merciful though.
3. Justice and Law can be manipulated by people in power. Comment on this with reference to the text and other real-life cases and examples.
I think that this is very true. People in power can manipulate almost anything and so, it would definitely be easy for them to manipulate Justice and Law. In Merchant of Venice, as the Jews were considered low class, many Christians try to persuade Shylock to have mercy but if Shylock was a Christian and Antonio was a Jew, this would not happen but instead, others would encourage Shylock to show no mercy. Hence, this is so unfair.
Dear John,
ReplyDeleteI am Jia Neng. I don't agree that there is true justice. Shylock has been mistreated badly by Antonio. It is Antonio's fault that caused Shylock to become so vengeful and vindictive. Hence, what Shylock did to Antonio is all out of anger.
Besides that, Portia is a christian. She may be biased. She just want to help Bassanio to save Antonio. Hence, i don't think that there is true justice.
Thank you,
Ng Jia Neng :):):):):)
http://literatureviewed.blogspot.com
HI I am Sebastian. I do agree with your point of view. But for the mercy part, you might want to explain whether Portia showed mercy towards Shylock. In my point of view, Portia was definitely not merciful. She might have wanted to help Antonio right from the start and she slowly worked towards it, playing with words. She was very harsh at the end of the trial. She could have just let Shylock go with the money but she did not. And for your discussion on whether people of high status could control law, you should have given examples to support your pont. Dominique Stauss Khan would be a good example. I think you must have read the news so I shall not go in depth. Examples are always good in convincing people.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteDear John,
ReplyDeleteI am Jerome. I agree with you views except the one on true justice. Apart from having ture justice, there is also no true justice. By twisting the words of the law, Portia is cheating becuase her miner change causes Shylock to lose the case. Also, Portia is a woman and is not supposed to enter the court as women are considered clever in the past.
Overall excellent blog prompt.
Please comment on my blog prompt too!:) (http://the-world-of-volkswagen.blogspot.com/)
Thanks.
Regards,
Jerome
I feel that although the bond was not changed, it was manipulated with cleverly and a cunningly t suit ones' needs. Shylock is portrayed to be a an evil man, for the reader to hate him. Thus, it is not real justice that portia is expounding.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI disagree with what you are saying about justice. Though it was just a manipulation of words cleverly, there was no TRUE justice. Justice from my point of view is where everyone is given a fair trial. Apparently, everyone in that court except for Shylock himself is standing on the side of Antonio and thus, the balance was already being disturbed and the court is no longer fair. Without a fair court, true justice cannot be upheld.