Blog Prompt 5: Justice Vs. Mercy in MOV

By the end of the trial scene, do you think true justice and mercy was achieved? Reflect and write on the following questions:

1. Is there true justice? Why? 

 Ans: 'true justice' is relative. It is subjective to the viewer. From the Christians point of view, there was true justice served to Shylock, as to them Shylock was inhumane to not let Antonio go. However, from a more humanitarian point of view, true justice was not achieved, as Shylock lost everything, his possessions, his money, even his religion, even though he was rightfully entitled to Antonio's life.

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

Ans: No. As she play around with the wording of the bond to trap Shylock. Shylock was entitled to Antonio's life, and 'a pound of flesh' is taken to include the blood but Portia twists it so that Shylock is not allowed one drop of Antonio's blood. Also, when Shylock wants to take the money instead of the bond, Portia does not give him mercy and instead insists that he take the bond and nothing else

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.

Ans: In MOV, Portia manipulated justice and law by first disguising herself as a male lawyer, and then by twisting the meaning of the bond to trap Shylock into forfeiting all his property.In real life, I feel that Justice and Law can be manipulated by people in power, one example would have to be Mr Dominique Strauss Kahn, he paid a large some of money to be released out of custody.

Blog Prompt 4 Letter by Sec 4 Student

1) To what extent do you agree with the issues that the student has raised here? Point out some issues of agreement and possible contention.

 

 Ans: To a large extent, i agree with the student. Most of the subjects in school stifle creativity. Most of them require memorizing information and memorizing how to apply them. Not that it is bad, but i feel that there are not enough subjects to promote creativity and questioning. For example, the subject Art, promotes creativity but there is very little emphasis on it, so no one gives it priority. All the subjects tested in exams like Maths, Science, English, History, Geography, all these are 'memorizing' subjects, with the exception of the language subjects. They do not promote creativity and questioning, and only require one the memorize the facts and application. I feel that she has raised a valid point in our education system, and that is "do we do enough in our education to instill creativity and inquisitiveness in our students?"

2) Examine her tone and attitude in this letter. Do you think it’s a well-crafted letter with the appropriate tone? 

 

Ans: I do not think that the tone used is appropriate. Her tone is as if she was the minister's superior, as if she had the right to tell the minister off. After all, she is talking to the minister. Even if the minister was wrong, one has to put across in a polite manner. Her letter was correct grammatically, but the tone used in it was not.

3)If you should write a letter to Minister of Education, what are some issues you would raise? Remember- your intention is to make the system better for society’s betterment via CONSTRUCTIVE ideas.

 

Ans:I would raise the fact that not all the subjects we learn is applicable in real life and that we should learn skills that really help us to be successful is life. I would also raise the fact that teachers should not judge their students just based on their marks and reduce the importance of test marks