Merchant of Venice
Outline the dukes attitude towards Antonio and Shylock at the beginning of the trial scene
Act 4 scene 1
Act 4 scene 1
The Duke is very sympathetic to Antonio. We need to remember that the court is pretty much a Christian boys' club. Antonio is a respected man of business and likely to be thought well of by the Duke. The Duke disparages Shylock calling him inhuman and incapable of pity,
I am sorry for thee. Thou art come to answer
A stony adversary, an inhuman wretch
Uncapable of pity, void and empty
From any dram of mercy.