Merchant of Venice?

Question

Why the word mercy was so important and who was so important to ?

Answer 1

The Duke appeals to Shylock to be merciful -

Shylock the world thinks, and I think so too,
That thou but leadest this fashion of thy malice
To the last hour of act, and then 'tis thought
Thou'll show thy mercy.

But as many here have said, Shylock wants his pound of flesh and feels that he is not being treated equally in the court because he is a Jew.

His daughter wisely tries to convince him that he can still have justice and show mercy without losing - that there is another solution that will allow everyone to win in a way that they will have what they want and not lose face.

But Shylock will have none of it. As he says "I crave the law!" He has his reasons - there is no doubt that he has been used and abused and that Antonio and the other merchants have not shown him very much in the way of mercy or respect. I think that what the Christians are saying in this scene is that their interpretation of mercy is superior to his and try to convince him that he will have the same power if he convedrtws. It should be noted that in this case, "mercy" is being used by each for his own gain. Shylock never uses the word - making one question whether or not he believes in it or whether he believes it is something reserved for the Christians of Venice.

It is the same today, isnt it? Doesnt it always seem that those at fault are the first ones to cry out for sympathy and pity from society? Pax - C.

Answer 2

mercy and forgiveness are important in the play. If Shylock is merciful, he should take Antonio's repayment of debt in cash and forget about getting his due through the pound of flesh So the Duke an Portia urge him to be merciful and not kill a fellow citizen. But Mercy is also important because in the end, Shylock is shown mercy by the Christians. He is not condemned to jail or death. So mercy is important to Shylock (that is what your teacher wants you to say.so say it).

BUT ideally Shylock is humiliated a lot and even the Xtians who preach mercy are wanting in mercy. Forcing Shylock to convert to Xtianity is the height of arrogance of Xtianity that has persisted over the centuries. Denying a person his/her religious beliefs has been the idiocy of this religion. It was employed to devastate Africa, Asia, Europe, the Americas etc. It was forced in the throats of many whose beliefs were seen as heathen. Well. Shylock's sense of self/identity was robbed mercilessly!!

good luck

Answer 3

Mercy was important because Shylock wouldn't be merciful and rescind his demand for the payment of a pound of flesh, but he could also not find mercy in the world he lived in. There was no mercy from the demands of the world and his faith, so he lost his daughter and his hopes for the future. Portia's (?) "The quality of mercy is not strained, it falleth like..." speech is famous and points out that we all need to give and receive mercy.

Answer 4

Most Jews lost everything at sometime prior to "Merchant" and thus they became "money changers" and were good at it, making a lot of money. They were still treated badly by all the other religions and people burned their houses, robbed them, etc. It became so bad that they asked for mercy all the time and as a habit eventually.

Answer 5

It depends on how you look at things in life.
"Does not a Jew have eyes like you?" etc...
"Does not a Jew have feelings like you?"
When one Race succeeds faster and better than another, the one not succeeding becomes jealous and then that is how genecide and wars begin.