The trial scene is the longest in the play and stands as one of the most dramatic scenes in all of Shakespeare. A number of critics have raised questions about the accuracy and fairness of the courtroom proceedings: the presiding duke is far from impartial; Portia appears as an unbiased legal authority, when in fact she is married to the defendant’s best friend; and she appears in disguise, under a false name. These points would seem to stack the deck against Shylock. However, while Portia bends the rules of the court, her decision is nonetheless legally accurate. More important for the cause of justice, the original bond was made under false pretenses—Shylock lied when he told Antonio that he would never collect the pound of flesh. Therefore, Portia’s actions restore justice instead of pervert it.

Shylock's reply - "My deeds upon my head! I crave the law" (IV.i.202) - makes him appear totally without mercy, at least superficially. However, we know that Shylock has little reason to trust Christian Venetian society because he has been abused and reviled by Antonio and others. It seems more likely that by being merciful, he would be accepting their value system and be taking the first step towards assimilation within Christian society (after all, his daughter has already converted voluntarily). Antonio would have won in court and in society, and could feel justified in treating Shylock with even less respect than before. In other words, Shylock would lose power, and this, in essence, is how we can view the conflict between Shylock and Antonio,as a power struggle. Once Shylock is defeated by Portia's clever interpretation of the law, we see that he is now at the mercy of the court. It is here that mercy and revenge become equated. Portia tells Shylock that for threatening the life of Antonio, his goods are forfeit "And the offender's life lies in the mercy / Of the Duke only...." (IV.i.351-352). She finishes by saying "Down therefore, and beg mercy of the duke." (IV.i.359) Both the Duke and Antonio appear to be merciful when they spare his life and some of his wealth, but in light of Shylock's tenous position in Venetian society, it would appear that they are trying to completely crush him, especially when he is required to become a Christian. Thus, mercy is only shown superficially towards Shylock.

The recent uprisings, revolutions, and festivities erupting in the West Asian and North African region are steeped in desires for “Justice” in terms of political rights, economic standards, and social position vis-à-vis the dominating few in the state. Much of the assorted coverage has highlighted the demand of the “masses” for justice, peacefully and violently, yet, few have noted the unspoken sentiment behind the protests for “international” or let us say global fairness and equitability. The structure of “the international” and of peoples’ experiences with it can be seen as a reflection of the micro-resistance we’ve seen from Morocco to Bahrain, Syria to Libya. The domestic is always tied, reflects, and interacts with the international, and vice versa; as beyond so below, to paraphrase that irritating, yet profound, cliché.