tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156334464585894857.post5978414934747856014..comments2023-10-25T05:30:54.507-04:00Comments on Oh Get A Grip!: The Quality of MercyAshe Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03390519279886657608noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156334464585894857.post-78557527074915374392016-03-28T09:53:03.343-04:002016-03-28T09:53:03.343-04:00I actually agree that forgiveness and mercy are no...I actually agree that forgiveness and mercy are not entirely the same thing; mercy does not always include forgiveness, though forgiveness is usually merciful. That's why I resorted to the dictionary definition of forgiveness. I figured I could get away with this example because the forgiving a debt issue is also in play here. Sacchi Greenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10801164916418570059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156334464585894857.post-1663947391569710352016-03-26T12:01:35.657-04:002016-03-26T12:01:35.657-04:00The Merchant of Venice is a fascinating play. Grea...The Merchant of Venice is a fascinating play. Great source material for a discussion of forgiveness, Sacchi. What often gets overlooked is that it combines several plots about fathers and their grown (or almost-grown) children. If Portia's rich father was wise to set out very unusual terms for her inheritance in his will (she must marry the man who chooses the right "casket," or box), why is Shylock treated as a villain because he tells his daughter Jessica not to party in the streets during Carnival, or hang out with young Christian men? I often refer to Portia's 2 methods of defending her client (the appeal to mercy, followed by the brilliant use of a technical loophole) in class to explain the difference.Jean Robertahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08805088081675965859noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156334464585894857.post-85369916063148371562016-03-24T23:40:52.055-04:002016-03-24T23:40:52.055-04:00One of the most interesting things about the play-...One of the most interesting things about the play--maybe about Shakespeare in general--is how he acknowledges the injustice of the treatment of Jews in his time--"Does not a Jew bleed?"--yet still portrays Shylock stereotypically as the villain. Sacchi Greenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10801164916418570059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156334464585894857.post-76387255080136043032016-03-24T11:52:20.260-04:002016-03-24T11:52:20.260-04:00Great direction to go with a difficult topic! You&...Great direction to go with a difficult topic! You've stolen the "run to the dictionary" gambit. :) I've never read Merchant of Venice, which I feel is one of those glaring holes in my reading knowledge. Your analysis here is really interesting. I love your "I'll be in my tent" ending. ;)Annabeth Leonghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07455191827664110878noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156334464585894857.post-85645185295054941132016-03-23T00:42:58.244-04:002016-03-23T00:42:58.244-04:00I was actually considering using this as my title,...I was actually considering using this as my title, Sacchi. <br /><br />But I wonder if mercy is the same thing as forgiveness. Mercy seems more akin to compassion--except that it's an action, not an attitude. Shylock could certainly have showed mercy by forgoing the flesh, but still not have forgiven Antonio. <br /><br />I also have always loved the character of Portia. Your summary of the plot reminds me, though, of how anti-semitic it really is, and not only in the portrayal of Shylock. Jessica is gifted with the property only because she has married a Christian (and probably, renounced her own religion). <br /><br />Sigh. We haven't come very far, though, have we?<br />Lisabet Saraihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05162514190572269660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156334464585894857.post-14831615921353403582016-03-21T11:04:59.351-04:002016-03-21T11:04:59.351-04:00Forgiveness frees all parties involved.Forgiveness frees all parties involved.Daddy Xhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12927663248424944119noreply@blogger.com