Merchant of Venice - Portia Outwits Shylock in Act IV Scene I

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Merchant of Venice - Portia Outwits Shylock in Act IV Scene I

"Portia: Have by some surgeon, Shylock, on your charge

To stop his wound, lest he do bleed to death.

Shylock: Is it nominated in the bond?" Act 4 Scene 1 lines 255-257

This is the time that Portia traps Shylock into a corner and saves the life of Antonio at the same instance. Portia builds up her defences as Shylock lets his down as he believes that he is going to gain his pound of flesh from Antonio's breast nearest the heart.

As soon as Portia enters the court room she applies herself to try to cunningly outwit Shylock. When she initially enters the court room she performs the relevant actions performed in the court and automatically turns to interact with Shylock. She highlights that the course of action and the hearing is that of an odd one but she also begins to gain Shylocks trust by stating that

"Portia. . . the Venetian law

Cannot impugn you as you do proceed." Act 4 Scene 1 lines 176-177

This is the beginning of her already constructed action plan to bring Shylock down and to also remove as much of his cruel ways from him.

As Portia weaves her way into Shylock's trust she, at many points, reassures herself that the proceedings are going as she wants them to be. She asks Shylock on line 181 if he wishes to show mercy to Antonio, but he avidly says that he will show no compassion.

Portia then goes onto speak about why Shylock could show mercy and for what reason but with0out pressuring him into this act. He declines the offer. He states that he "Shylock: . . . I crave the law

The penalty and the forfeit of my bond." Act 4 Scene 1 lines 204-205

Portia takes this into account and also makes sure that the clerk that should be writing the proceedings is recording the current events. This gives Portia a fall back and also allows her to later reinforce her point that the Jew showed no consideration for the victim and also that he expresses his want for his bond and forfeiture many times over.

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