Legality Of Events In The Merchant Of Venice

Kosuri Sohana Sriya Varma, Symbiosis Law School Hyderabad

ABSTRACT

“Merchant of Venice”, an intriguing story is set up in the backdrop of the sublime city of Venice. The present paper focusses on legally challenged scenarios depicted in the story that encompasses: the compulsive contract entered between Shylock and Antonio, the lead protagonists of the play; change in the dispositions of the lead actors towards the end of the trial in the court of justice wherein Portia enacts to be a judge in disguise. The present paper explores Portia’s theory of justice, her stand as a noble judge or a hoaxer, and examines her conduct to be morally proper or merely a play of phrases. In the context of the legally acceptable contract of the 16th century, Portia’s stance with the then Commonwealth court rules, precedents, and procedures applicable to the present legal context are discussed. The paper critically analyses legally challenged situations portrayed in the play and the violation of the basic rights of an individual based on religious discrimination between Christians and Jews. It also comprehends varied problems of prejudice, patriarchal society, stereotypes, and criminal issues that existed throughout the Renaissance period in Venice besides analyzing the shift of the trial scene based on comparative law.

Keywords: Racial Discrimination, Prejudice, Oppression, Legality, Patriarchy.