ACT IV
THE LUCK REDEEMS THE LOSS
By means of Bassanio's luck in winning Portia's love and hand Shylock is finally defeated of his malicious purpose. Portia considered as the embodiment of Bassanio's luck and the instrument bringing Shylock to confusion.
Does it matter whether the law-point is disputable or not since the traditional stories on which the Play is built up afford the opportunity for its use?
Does Shylock get Justice, since he had refused mercy?
Illustrate the legal knowledge and studies of Italian women of the
Renaissance affording a parallel for Portia's sagacity and leadership.
(For hints see pp. 256-260 in "First Folio Edition.")
QUERIES FOR DISCUSSION
Do you think Shylock is wronged?
Does Shylock so preponderate the Play as to destroy its balance, and outweighing all other characters make them insignificant?
Are Actors justified in acting the Play so as to dwarf the Love plot and cut out Act V as needless?
Is Portia the proper counterpart in consummate character creation to Shylock? To whom does, if properly played, the ultimate interest of the Play belong?
Why does this position belong to no other character's part?