the only mercy that Antonio should show him is to present him with “a halter,” a hangman’s noose.Inother words, Graziano feels that Antonio should seek the death penalty forShylock.
However, Antonio is merciful. Antonio tells the court that he will accept as judgment, ifthe Duke agrees, that Shylock should be allowed to keep half of his wealth for himself if the other half is reserved or held in trust for Jessica and her husband Lorenzo and given to them upon the time of Shylock’s natural death (lines375-80).
Antonio adds that Shylock must also agree to two otherconditions:
In regards to the first condition, readers should keep in mind that Christians in times past believed that all pagans (non-Christians) would be damned to Hell, that only good Christians would enter Heaven. From the Christian point of view, Antonio’s condition is both moral andmerciful.
Shylock, defeated and depressed, agrees to Antonio’s conditions; and the Duke of Venice agrees aswell.
This courtroom scene is theresolutionof the main plot of the drama. The conflict between Antonio and Shylock has been resolved. The conflict is at an end.The rest of the play, then,