Merchant Of Venice
Mercy v. Justice – Old Testament v. New Testament
While the conflict between justice and mercy plays a key role in determining the outcome of The Merchant of Venice, this conflict is even more important because it provides a setting for the contrast between the rigid law and rules of the Old Testament and the concepts of mercy and forgiveness as taught by Christ in the New Testament. It is in the climactic trial scene that The Duke, hoping Shylock will excuse Antonio's penalty, asks him, "How shall thou hope for mercy rend'ring none?" He is referring to expectations of judgment in the afterlife. However, so is Shylock, when he counters, "What judgment shall I dread doing no wrong?" This exchange perfectly presents this conflict between of the Old Testament and the New, in which the former is seen to emphasize strict obedience as mankind's obligation to God while the latter stresses God's grace and mercy.
The laws and rules of the Old Testament insisted on strict justice, "An......
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