MLA RESEARCH
PAPER
Here’s the point-wise MLA format research paper
on The Merchant of Venice:
Title:
Justice, Mercy, and Prejudice in William
Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice.
Introduction:
1.1 -William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of
Venice (written between 1596–1599) examines
crucial moral themes such as justice, mercy, and
prejudice.
1.2-Through the legal battle between Shylock and
Antonio, Shakespeare challenges the audience’s
understanding of fairness and compassion.
1.3-This paper analyzes how Shakespeare portrays
these concepts and their contradictions in
Venetian society.
Justice Versus Mercy
2.1- The conflict between Shylock and Antonio
centers around a strict interpretation of the law
versus the application of mercy.
2.2- Shylock demands exact justice: the fulfillment
of the bond—a pound of Antonio’s flesh.
2.3- Portia, disguised as a lawyer, urges Shylock
and the court to prioritize mercy:“The quality of
mercy is not strained; / It droppeth as the gentle
rain from heaven” (Shakespeare 4.1.180-181).
2.4- Mercy is presented as a divine virtue, superior
to strict legalism.
2.5- However, the Christians' treatment of Shylock
after the trial shows that their practice of mercy is
conditional and self-serving.
2.6- Literary critic Harold Bloom notes, "the
Christians preach mercy but practice vengeance"
(Bloom 67), highlighting the hypocrisy in Venetian
justice.
Prejudice and Discrimination
3.1- Prejudice, particularly anti-Semitism, is deeply
ingrained in the play’s depiction of Venetian
society.
3.2- Antonio's treatment of Shylock is openly
hostile:
> “I am as like to call thee so again, / To spit on
thee again, to spurn thee too” (Shakespeare
1.3.125-126).
3.3- Shylock is isolated not only because of his
religion but also due to his profession as a
moneylender.
3.4- Shylock’s demand for justice can be viewed as
a reaction to lifelong discrimination and
humiliation.
3.5- Scholar Stephen Greenblatt asserts that
Shakespeare portrays “a world in which prejudice
is so normalized that it goes almost unquestioned”
(Greenblatt 214).
The Complexity of Shylock’s
Character
4.1- Shakespeare presents Shylock as more than
just a villain; he is a deeply human, complex figure.
4.2- Shylock’s actions stem partly from personal
revenge and partly from societal marginalization.
4.3- While Shylock is capable of cruelty and
vengeance, he also elicits sympathy from the
audience.
4.4- His famous speech, > “Hath not a Jew eyes?
Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses,
affections, passions?” (Shakespeare 3.1.58-
60),underscores his shared humanity.
4.5-This complexity forces the audience to reflect
on their own prejudices and notions of justice.
Hypocrisy of the Christians
5.1-While Portia and Antonio advocate for mercy,
their treatment of Shylock after the trial
contradicts their ideals.
5.2-Shylock is not only stripped of his wealth but
also forced to convert to Christianity, a
punishment arguably harsher than any physical
penalty.
5.3- The Christians' actions reveal that their mercy
is selective, extended only to those within their
own religious and social group.
5.4- The so-called justice delivered in the
courtroom is thus tainted by religious and personal
bias.
Appearance Versus Reality
6.1 Throughout the play, Shakespeare uses the
theme of appearance versus reality to complicate
the audience’s understanding of justice.
6.2- Portia’s eloquent courtroom performance
hides her manipulation of the law for Antonio’s
benefit.
6.3- The play’s romanticized ending, featuring
marriages and reconciliations, masks the moral
ambiguities that remain unresolved.
6.4- Justice appears to be served, but it is justice
tailored to favor the dominant Christian society.
Modern Relevance
7.1- The Merchant of Venice remains relevant
today because it addresses issues still present in
modern legal and social systems.
7.2- Prejudice continues to influence notions of
justice around the world.
7.3- The tension between law and mercy, fairness
and bias, persists in contemporary discussions of
ethics and human rights.
Conclusion
8.1- William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of
Venice does not offer a simple resolution to the
dilemmas it presents.
8.2- Instead, it forces the audience to confront
uncomfortable truths about prejudice, mercy, and
the corruption of justice.
8.3- Shakespeare reveals that true justice requires
not only adherence to law but also the courage to
exercise mercy and self-reflection.
