1. Is there true justice? Why?

This is a debatable question.''On the references of shakespear'' Although Antonio did treated Shylock badly in the past, whereby he rated Shylock of his usanses and spat on his Jewish garbedine, calling him a misbeliever and cut-throat dog etc., Shylock should not bring personal matters into the court, especially law. Law and feelings, emotions are hard to co-exist. For example sometimes we feel sorry for a person who has committed a crime but yet a crime is a crime, and in name of justice that those who violated the law deserve to be punished. Did Shylock really wanted the pound of flesh because of the bond?
We can see that Shylock only wanted Antonio's life as he is very revengeful, which even said that 'If every ducat in six thousand ducats Were in six parts, and every part a ducat - I would not draw them . I shall have my bond.' Shylock keeps insisting that the court must show him justice, as the court itself stands in the name of law. As Portia arrives disguised as a lawyer, she requested for mercy for three times but every time rejected by Shylock. Thus Portia gave him the justice he wanted, allowed to cut Antonio's flesh, but instead she also included the Vernice law, stating that there should not a blood be dropped, that is, to take away a Christian life. This is indeed impossible; to cut a flesh without blood flowing. Thus Shylock was then condemned into wanting a life of a Christian, and then as such penalized to give half of his estate to Antonio and to be converted to a Christian. Now Portia has indeed shown justice, as Shylock was also revengeful and deserved what he did. But one would ask: Portia is a woman, where at that time, by LAW, women were restricted to be lawyers in court. But Portia sort of defied the law as she disguised herself just to help his husband's friend. Her aim was to help Bassanio's friend, which one would ponder and ask, how do we know that her judgements were not towards helping Antonio? She did manipulate what Shylock said, of wanting true justice at the same time included the Venice rule of not taking a Christian's life. What that was not Shylock's intention. Thus we could see that there might be justice but no true justice, or vice versa.

2. Is there true mercy, as expounded by Portia? Why?

In Portia's speech of mercy, she mentioned that mercy is about being moral, it is spontaneous, it is compassionate, and is forgiving, redeeming, mutually beneficial; and is divine - when a man's "godlike" qualities are most manifest when he is merciful. If we were to based on what Portia said, then there would not be TRUE mercy. Indeed Shylock has been revengeful and cruel in wanting Antonio's life, but when condemned he was taken of his estate, wealth and a change into another religion which Shylock himself hated most - Christian. What has Portia mentioned about mercy in her speech? To be forgiving and redeeming and compassionate towards others. Although Shylock himself wanted true justice and rejected any mercy, but what was mentioned in the speech was to FORGIVE. Although in the text, mercy is given when Shylock was spared of death, but however Shylock will as though be living in hell - he is converted into the religion he hates and furthermore, he has no wealth. Considering that he will be suffering, how is that merciful? So if we were to define mercy based on Portia's speech, then there was no real "true mercy" at all.

3. Justice and Law can be manipulated by people in power. Comment on this with reference to the text and other real-life cases and examples.

Justice and Law can definitely be manipulated by people in power. Those who have power can change the law if they want to. Justice itself is determined by man, and different people have different opinions. The Law itself is also created by man, and judgement itself also. In this case, Justice and Law can also be manipulated, especially by people in power. For example the government can change the law whenever it wants to, as they have the power and right to do so. In Merchant of Venice, we can see how Portia has manipulated the law to defend Antonio and used the law against Shylock who wanted justice so badly. The judge can choose to not follow the law if he himself and/or the 'spectators' below agree that mercy can outweigh the law. This already shows how that a person in power can manipulate justice and law.