Abstract
Scholars have expended significant critical energy in mining The Merchant of Venice for equitable principles. Portia’s “quality of mercy” speech is often cited as an equitable rejoinder to Shylock’s demand for his bond’s penalty. Examining early modern constructions of equity, this article will argue that there is little evidence of equity at work in the play. Rather, Portia’s use of the law is unprincipled, and guided only by her desire to defeat Shylock.
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